The second biggest island in the country, Mindanao largely accounts for the production of high value commodities such as rubber, pineapple, banana and coffee, among others. Agriculture in Mindanao provided employment for 4.08 million individuals or about 36% of the country’s total employment in the sector (PSA*, 2016). Relatedly, Mindanao’s gross value added at constant prices in agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing is at 32.5% in 2016, next to Luzon at 51.5%. 

While Mindanao has seen some economic progress, persisting challenges in pursuing lasting peace and achieving inclusiveness render Mindanao’s inability to maximize development. Decades of injustice, conflict and insecurity in Mindanao have severely undermined the full development of its economic potential.

KOICA has partnered with FAO to contribute to the development of agriculture and agribusiness in the provinces of North Cotabato and Maguindanao and surrounding areas to help reduce poverty and foster inclusive growth.

The project will focus on increasing productivity and integration of the beneficiaries in the agriculture value chains through the adoption of improved technologies, provision of machinery and equipment and enhanced market linkages. These interventions aim to increase agricultural productivity and income generating capacity, as well as improve food quality and safety for consumers.

OBJECTIVE

The overall goal of the project is to contribute to the attainment of sustainable peace and development and inclusive growth in Mindanao through support to the improvement of agriculture and fisheries-based livelihoods, and accelerated agriculture-based enterprises.

PARTNERS

FAO will collaborate with relevant ministries in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) and various government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS 

• Improved productivity in agriculture and fishery-based livelihoods of small farmers, marginal fishers, indigenous people, and returned internally displaced persons through the provision of agriculture and fisheries inputs, appropriate trainings and technical assistance on improved agricultural and diversified farming systems and fishery technologies.
• Small farmers, marginal indigenous peoples, and returned internally displaced persons and their households, especially women and women’s groups are fully integrated into the agriculture value chains by developing and strengthening their skills and capacity to link with market opportunities in growth centers.
• Increased resilience of farming, fishing and related livelihoods against multiple hazards through the application of disaster risk reduction and management tools, principles and approaches that consider specific livelihoods, agro-ecological and socio-political-institutional contexts.

KEY PROJECT ACTIVITIES 

• Conduct of vocational skills training programs which will include lectures, demonstration and hands-on activities on crop production, integrated pest management, harvest and post-harvest processing using small farm machinery, livestock/poultry production, animal health management and aquaculture/fisheries production, food processing, etc.
• Conduct of financial literacy and entrepreneurship trainings
• Provision of starter kits (small farm machinery and repair tools)

ACCOUNTABILITY TO AFFECTED POPULATIONS (AAP)

FAO is committed to integrating AAP principles throughout its policies and projects. The five commitments address: leadership/governance; transparency and communication; feedback and complaints; participation and representation; design, monitoring and evaluation.