COTABATO CITY – As part of the annual celebration of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform, through its MAFAR Local Exchange and Network of Goods in any Kind of Emergency (MAFARLENGKE) program in close collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority (CSEA) of the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM), had joined forces to the recently concluded Agri-Trade Fair 2024.
The activity was held in front of the ministry, Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City from December 16-19 2024.
A total of 20 Bangsamoro farmers, fisherfolk cooperatives and associations were given the opportunity to showcase their products, and the MSMEs supported by the ministry collectively achieved sales amounting to P335,663.00, highlighting the dynamic potential of local industries in the Bangsamoro region.
At the said Trade Fair, each farmer showcased their unique products that reflect the culture and history of their communities. These included fresh agricultural products, hand-crafted materials, local delicacies, and other goods that serve as proof of the rich agricultural and tourism resources of the Region.
The activity aims to help the farmers through their cooperative association to market their products. They are encouraged to participate in the selling of their product at a very reasonable price ensuring that the constituents of BARMM can assess healthy and reasonably priced agricultural and fishery products.
One aspect of Minister Yacob’s policy direction is enhancing collaboration among the region’s ministries, offices, and agencies to deliver services to clients. The MAFARLENGKE initiative is aligned with the ministry’s mandate to provide market information, support local industries, promote agribusiness, and foster enterprise development.
Monday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was also attended by Bangsamoro Director General for Fisheries Services Pendatun S. Patarasa, MPA, Director II Julie O. Maliga, RN, MPASR of the Administrative and Finance Management Services, among others.
