Dr. Tanaka visits a vegetable demo farm in Upi

MAGUINDANAO- Farmers of Barangay Kibleg welcome Dr. Tanaka Akihiro, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D.

The team visited the vegetable demonstration farm in Barangay Kibleg, Upi, Maguindanao del Norte, on Wednesday, January 18.

Minister Yacob said that the Ministry recognizes the presence and support of the JICA for the Capacity Development Program for the Bangsamoro.

The LIFT UP project supported the directives of the BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, which is bringing the government closer to the communities, he added.

“MAFAR is committed to continuing the support through a capacity development program aiming to transform the lives of our Bangsamoro farmers by increasing the productivity and income in the region. It is expected that the output of the 2 projects impacted the region’s economy,” he stressed.

The Vegetable Production under the Livelihood Improvement for the Transformation of Underserved Population (LIFT-UP) Project of Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro-JICA as the funding agency and  MAFAR as the implementer in the Bangsamoro Region.

Ms. Cherry Lou Palanduyon, Farmer Leader said, “We are hoping that JICA and MAFAR will continue to support the farmers in Upi.”

The training enhances our skills and knowledge in agricultural technology since farming is our primary source of income. The projects have given us an opportunity to improve our life, Palanduyan added.

Dr. Tanaka expresses his gratitude to the farmers, and he is delighted that former combatants and female indigenous group is involved in the project and willing to participate and make a change in their lives.