$5. 8 million was allocated for the development agriculture in Mindanao by The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Korean government.
The allocation deemed to improve region’s agriculture sector specifically, fisheries-based livelihoods and agriculture-based enterprises in Mindanao.
Based on the report from Philstar, the current project considers to be the single largest contribution to FAO’s work in Mindanao. More importantly, “FAO will provide post-harvest facilities for rice and corn, and production and processing support for high value crops and fisheries”.
Respectively, halal training and business center in Cotabato City and corn silage processing plant in North Cotabato will also be established. This is in line with the development of the projects in the provinces of North Cotabato and Maguindanao especially in improving the agribusiness value chains of key commodities.
Moreover, 10,740 poor farming and fishing households in five municipalities in Maguindanao, five municipalities in North Cotabato, and Cotabato City will be benefited from the project.
According to the report, KOICA country director Shin Myung Seop stated that “Mindanao development is a priority agenda of the Duterte administration and the Korean government is supportive of peace and development in Mindanao. It is meaningful that this project will cover not only Bangsamoro areas but also other areas in Mindanao”.
“Agriculture sector in Mindanao has a huge potential to further spur economic growth in the country”, stated by FAO Representative in the Philippines Jose Luis Fernandez.
In addition, the representative also noted that despite of the richness and diverse resources of Mindanao, various conflict and, the recent increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters, hindered the growth of the region.
The partnership of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Korean government will continue to enhance the efforts in improving not just the productivity of farmers but most especially, the farmers linkages to the supply chain of agribusiness firms in major regional centers. Also, these organization will continue their efforts in increasing farmers’ access to capital, technology, and consumers.