CBOs in Basilan to benefit from MAFARs training programs
BASILAN- Some 60 Community Based Organization beneficiaries were trained initially in three (3) batches and two (2) courses from the City of Lamitan, Basilan, BARMM, and outside core territory in Isabela City, Region IX.
The Training Management Team of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform in Basilan Province spearheaded by Provincial Director Hanie Muadz Junuban with overall supervision of Regional Training Management Team led by Assistant to the Minister for Special Concerns Pendatun Patarasa and FAO-UN 901/JPN Team Leader Mr. Ruben Miranda take-off the trainings on high yield production technologies for rice, corn, coffee, cacao, cassava, and vegetables to the decommissioned and to be decommissioned combatants, OSYs, IPs, and Farmers/Fisherfolk.
Generally, the training aims to enhance the agricultural vocational skills of farmers and fisherfolk in the Bangsamoro and outside core territories in Mindanao, which they can use for their agriculture-based livelihoods and agri-entrepreneur employment.
The capacity of this kind offers a lot of opportunities to augment the family income of the targeted CBOs.
The growing demand for these crops, especially cacao and coffee, and other value-added products coupled with established product standards, entrepreneurs’ willingness to invest in the commodities produced and improve promotions are guaranteed good market access both local and international.
Furthermore, the training courses to be conducted in the Island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi are consist of 5 training courses, 26 batches of agricultural training on high yielding production technologies for high-value crops, organic agriculture for crop production, pest and diseases management, and farm machinery operation.
Once all training is completed, starter kits (hand tractors, cassava grater with presser, rubber crepe machine, coffee processing machine, among others) will be awarded directly to the completers CBOs in the Bangsamoro areas.
This project will support the MAFAR’s vision of a Bangsamoro region of socio-economically stable, resilient, and globally competitive farmers and fisherfolk