FRENCH EMBASSY, ACTED, BARMM AGENCIES LAUNCH 3ZERO
COTABATO CITY- The French Embassy, Acted in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform, Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority (CSEA), and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) launched the 3ZERO: 1st BARMM Agri-Fishery Cooperative’s Partners Forum.
The three-day activity aims to improve agricultural productivity and practices, strengthening their organizational capacity and resilience against social and environmental threats, which can contribute to poverty reduction and economic growth for the people of BARMM.
On Tuesday, October 3, Minister Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D., represented the MAFAR and with other partner agencies at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, BGC.
The activity is in line with National Cooperative Month, under RA No. 11502, to highlight the contribution of cooperatives to the economic growth of the country, the consortium holds a 3-day event with the theme “3ZERO: 1st BARMM Agri-Fishery Cooperatives Partners Forum” to kick-off the month-long celebration and conclude the project.
Minister Yacob said, “Agriculture and fisheries have been a blood life of our communities. It is evident in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao it has profound significance in the agriculture and fisheries sector for the development and livelihood of our Bangsamoro people.
He said in a recent report the BAMRMM remains the top 1 fish producer in the country with a percentage of 31.14 overall since 2021 up to the 2nd quarter of 2023.
“While we celebrate this achievement, we must also acknowledge the persisting challenges, such as market issues, the impact of climate change, and an ongoing need for the Agrarian Reform sector. This data shows that we needed a collaborative action,” Minister emphasized.
He added that this momentous occasion signifies a gathering and a convergence of ideas, education, and advancing the agri-fish sectors within our region.
The activity focused on Sustainable and Inclusive Agriculture in BARMM, funded by the French Embassy, Acted supported 20 women-led agri-cooperatives with trainings, roundtables, market linkages, access to technology, and financial resources.
Further, the activity will have high-level presentations, a launch of new policies, conferences and workshops, Roundtable discussions, a pop-up market, and a recognition of outstanding leaders working.