UAVs, ICT EQUIPMENT, TURNED OVER BY UN-FAO TO THE MAFAR

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and other ICT equipment were handed over by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO) to the MAFAR on August 4, 2020.

The specific equipment were two multi-rotor Drone Quadcopters, two tablet computers, three laptop computers, and one projector.

Minister Dr Mohammad S. Yacob said the provision of these equipment supports the advocacy of promoting the use of ICT-based innovations to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the agriculture sector in the BARMM.

Drones can help in addressing the inadequacy of baseline data in the agriculture and fisheries sector which are crucial in evidence-based planning for strategic and more effective implementation of programs and projects according to Cesar V. Galvan, UN-FAO-Cotabato Head and Team Leader for New Zealand Project.

The equipment is also essential in aerial mapping and efficient documentation of vast agricultural areas for evidence-based decision-making and programming.

It is also useful in damage assessment during calamities like flooding and drought that can aid in preparing accurate rehabilitation plans.

Meanwhile, the computers and projector can greatly help in the ministry’s quest to improve the capacities of its workforce and the community people especially the farmers and fisherfolk through conduct of training programs and briefings.

Aside from Minister Yacob and Team Leader Galvan, the turnover ceremony was also graced by Ismael Trasmonte, Jr., Project Team Leader for KOICA and Sheryl Cruz, Admin and Finance Assistant of UN-FAO, and Matarul Estino, Assistant to the Minister for Special Concerns and Pendatun S. Patarasa, Fisheries Program Officer of MAFAR.