MAFAR holds first Farmers and Fisherfolk Congress
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform held its first Farmers and Fisherfolk Congress in the region on December 6-7, 2021, at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, BGC Cotabato City.
Spearheaded by the Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of the Ministry led by Chief Dr. Tong D. Pinguiaman.
The highlights of the activity were the Coffee and Banana Summit Cum MAFARLENGKE 3.0, with a total of 25 exhibitors from the different provinces of BARMM and displayed their Agri-Fishery products. A Ribbon Cutting headed by MAFAR Minister Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D., indicates the exhibit’s opening.
According to Chief Pinguiaman, the activity realized to confer steps to address and center the coffee and banana production as one of the major crops consumed in the country. Also, it is a way of promoting the Bangsamoro products for the sustainable market chain.
Minister Yacob said this congress supports the mandates of MAFAR in improving the lives of every Bangsamoro farmer and fisherfolks, and our priority is to uplift the living conditions and make our farmer and fisherfolk economically sustainable.
He also asks for collaboration among farmers and fishers as partners in pursuing the programs of the Ministry.
“The ministry is maximizing its efforts to deliver the assistance to the beneficiary hence what we need is teamwork coming from you, as our beneficiary,” Minister Yacob added.
During the congress, a presentation of topics related to increasing coffee and banana production include Opportunities, Success Stories on Coffee and Banana Industry, the Flagships Program of AMAD, 11 key points passed for the next steps, E-Bangsamoro System and Bangsamoro Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System (FFEDIS).
The Flagships Programs on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform were presented to MTIT, MOLE, CSEA, and ACPC.
Other key officials in the congress are Chief of Staff Arphia T. Ebus, Director General for Agrarian Reform Services, Dr. Taugan Kikay, Director II for Agriculture Engr. Ismail A. Guiamel, Director II for Admin and Finance Services Julie O. Maliga, Provincial Director from Provinces, and other leading officials from the Ministry and private companies.