Japan Turns over 47 rural infrastructure projects in Mindanao

  Embassy of Japan’s Minister Masahiro Nakata participated in the ceremonial turnover of 47 sub-projects under the Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agricultural Development (MinSAAD) Project in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental on February 26, 2020. Agrarian Reform Secretary John S. Castriciones also graced the event.
 
   In his speech, Minister Nakata stated that, with the immense development potential of Mindanao, MinSAAD is a symbol of assurance that this island will not be left behind. This 6,063 Million Yen project is part of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development or J-BIRD program and hopes to continue bringing progress closer to farmers on the ground.
 
   The project targets hundreds of sub-projects in several provinces in Mindanao. For this ceremony, 16 infrastructure facilities and 31 agribusiness and agro-forestry development sub-projects were turned over to farmers from the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, North Cotabato, South Cotabato and Sultant Kudarat. The facilities include farm-to-market roads, bridges, post-harvest installations and rural water systems. Japan believes that the long-term impacts on the lives of many agrarian reform beneficiaries far outweigh the resources devoted to these projects.