E/N Signing on “The Project for the Improvement of Agricultural and Fisheries Value Chain for Smallholder Farmers and Fisherfolk in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao”

To boost livelihoods, food security and nutrition in the BARMM as well as improve the food value chain, the Government of Japan will contribute approximately 4 million US$ to “The Project for the Improvement of Agricultural and Fisheries Value Chain for Smallholder Farmers and Fisherfolk in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao”.

The World Food Programme (WFP) will carry out this project, which will benefit approximately 7,500 farming and fishing households, or approximately 37,500 people in BARMM. It will implement interventions such as improved market linkages and increased agricultural productivity in order to strengthen inclusion in the nutrition-sensitive agricultural value chain.

On August 31, 2022, Japanese Ambassador KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko signed and exchanged notes for this project with WFP Representative and Country Director of the Philippines Brenda Barton. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform in BARMM Minister Muhammad S. Yacob, Philippine Coconuts Authority Deputy Administrator Mr. Roel M. Rosales and Department Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Ms. Neomi T. Diaz were also in attendance as witnesses to the event.

Ambassador Koshikawa mentioned in his speech that Japan has collaborated with the WFP on a number of initiatives aimed at achieving peace and development in Mindanao. “Therefore, we strongly hope that this project will be successful and that this model will be extended to the rest of the Bangsamoro region for a better future deserved by all,” he concluded.

-end-