MAFAR-FAO Conducts Project Team Planning Workshop in Cotabato City

COTABATO CITY | May 4, 2021

MAFAR-FAO Conducts Project Team Planning Workshop in Cotabato City

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform successfully conducted the 3-day Project Team Planning Workshop at Pagana Kutawato Native Restaurant, Cotabato City, on May 4-6, 2021.

FAO Project Team Leader Mr. Ruben Miranda and his team facilitated the activity and participated by MAFAR Regional office spearheaded by the Mr. Pendatun Patarasa, Asst. to the Minister for Special Concerns/ FAO Projects Focal Person with Agriculture Technical Staff and from the office of Dir. Julie O. Maliga of Admin & Finance Services representative by Acct. Roger Bunda, Jr. and virtually via zoom by the Provincial Offices of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi represented by Dir. Hanie Junuban, Dir. Alfie Iribani and Dir. Aidarus Nami, respectively, with their respective Chief Agriculturists and Chief admin & finance.

The objective of this planning workshop is to ensure successful implementation of the FAO- MAFAR Project entitled “The Project for Agricultural Training for Establishment of Peace in Mindanao” in the selected municipalities of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi through a Letter of Agreement (LoA) with MAFAR expected to commence by May until September 2021.

FAO Focal Person Mr. Patarasa said, “I thank everyone for the attendance. Even in this holy fasting month of Ramadhan, our services to the Bangsamoro shall uphold as we envision for a region of socio-economically stable, resilient, and globally competitive farmers and fisherfolk.”

“With high hopes, this is going to be an exciting partnership the Ministry has with FAO where MAFAR will going to lead in carrying out the training component for the selected beneficiaries in BaSulTa utilizing internal expertise of the ministry from region down to provincial level,” Patarasa added.

Meanwhile, Minister Mohammad S.Yacob, PhD. that despite his busy schedule, managed to attend on the 2nd day. He thanked the FAO of the United Nations for their continued support to the MAFAR and the BARMM for this partnership project.

The ministry will extend technical assistance and start-up kits to the selected farmers and fisherfolk to learn new, improved agricultural technology to increase productivity and income in the Island provinces of Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi.

In closing, Dr. Jaime Montesur, FAO MERG Team Leader, ensures continued support of FAO according to the needs and request of MAFAR as it is at the heart of the agency’s effort to achieving food security for all.

Further, the FAO is mandated to improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living in rural populations and contribute to regional and global economic growth.

Credits to MAFAR – FAO