Minister Yacob supports the E-Bangsamoro system to bring products online
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform Mohammad S. Yacob Ph. D, has expressed support over the Agri-business and Marketing Assistance Divisions proposal of E-Bangsamoro system to bring the MAFARlengke products into the online platform on Nov. 26.
E-Bangsamoro System is a digital platform that facilitates business-to-business linkage among market players of agri-fisheries commodities and other value-added products.
In an interview, Yacob said that the online store would help the cooperatives under the agency sell their products and keep up with the latest trends in social media marketing.
Dr. Tong Pinguiaman, Chief of AMAD, disclosed that the system was originally created by the Young Mindanao Professional for Peace and proposed to Japan International Cooperation Agency with the technical inputs of MAFAR-BARMM.
Pinguiman said that “Padian sa Bangsamoro” will serve as the online shopping window where potential customers can watch and buy the products made by a different cooperative in the Bangsamoro region. The posted items vary from consumable, healthy foods to durable, native, or ornamental displays.
“Through this, we can give them more income, revitalize and strengthen their hope for them to continuously fight the challenges of life, especially in this time of the pandemic,” Pinguiaman said.
Hamzur Zaid said they created a Website named “E-Bangsamoro”, which will serve as an online marketing strategy that aims to showcase various products made by farmers/cooperatives in the Bangsamoro region and attract more consumers.
“This program presented a kind of market which is not only accessible to everyone but is also a perfect response of overcoming the hurdles brought by the pandemic,” Zaid said.
Zaid said that the minister mentioned in their conversation that the products in the system should be of good quality, affordable, and able to sustain livelihoods.
The minister also expressed concern that in areas across the region with poor internet connections, the problem must be addressed before launching the project to improve the service.
The minister also wants the agency to train online vendors to further improve their products which will be addressed by the AMAD.