S. Korea, FAO launch $5.8-M aid for peace, dev’t in Mindanao

The Korean government, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have launched a US$5.8million (approximately 1302.4 million) initiative that will support efforts to foster sustainable peace and development in Mindanao.

Dubbed “Support to Agriculture and Agribusiness Enterprises in Mindanao for Sustainable Development,” the two-year partnership program aims to sustain livelihood and increase the income of farming and fishing households primarily by enhancing agribusiness value chains of key commodities.

The launch coincides with the visit of KOICA President Lee Mi Kyung in celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines.

The partnership agreement was recently signed by KOICA Country Director Shin Myung

Seop and FAO Representative in the Philippines Jose Luis Fernandez.

“The development of Mindanao is a priority agenda of the Duterte administration and the Korean government is supportive of peace and development in Mindanao. In this regard, it is meaningful that this project will cover not only Bangsamoro areas but also other areas in Mindanao. We are hopeful that the project will contribute to sustainable peace and development and inclusive growth in Mindanao,” Shin said during the signing.

According to the FAO, the project will involve training and capacity building support to improve productivity, link to new market opportunities and enhance disaster risk reduction and management, as well as provide agricultural inputs (planting materials, fertilizers, etc.), livestock and poultry, fisheries inputs, farm machinery and equipment.

“Mindanao, especially its agriculture sector, has a huge potential to further spur economic growth of the Philippines,” Fernandez said, adding that the region is widely known for its rich and diverse resources.

“However, its growth has been hampered by decades of conflict and, more recently, increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters,” he noted.

Moreover, Fernandez said the partnership with the Korean government will enable FAO to continue and further expand its initiatives by not only enhancing productivity but also linking the farmers to the supply chain of agribusiness firms in major regional centers, thus increasing their access to capital, technology, and consumers.

So far, the partnership project is currently the single largest contribution to FAO’s work in Mindanao and it will help establish a Halal training and business center in Cotabato City and corn silage processing plant in North Cotabato.

FAO said it will also provide post-harvest facilities for rice and corn, and production and processing support for high-value crops and fisheries, supporting about 10,740 poor farming and fishing households in five municipalities in Maguindanao, five municipalities in North Cotabato, and Cotabato City.