Japan funds sustainable agrarian and agriculture development project in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Lualhati Antonino, Department of Agrarian Reform undersecretary Jerry Pacturan, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process assistant secretary Howard Cafugauan, Governor of Compostela Valley Arturo Uy, Governor of South Cotabato Daisy Avance-Fuentes, Governor of North Cotabato Emilio Taliño, Governor of Maguindanao Esmael Mangudadatu and counselor Koichi Ibara of the Embassy of Japan’s consular office in Davao recently led the ceremonial launching of the Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Development Project (MinSAAD).

 The MinSAAD project is a yen loan assistance from Japan totaling 6,063 Million Yen. The project is designed to increase agricultural productivity and income of agrarian reform beneficiaries as well as other marginal farmers through provision of small-scale agricultural infrastructure, such as construction of irrigation facilities, post harvest facilities, farm-to-market road, and capacity building support.

It seeks to increase competitiveness and ensure viable and sustainable agriculture development in twelve selected settlement areas in three regions in Mindanao covering 205 barangays and 25 municipalities. Around 69,091 agrarian reform beneficiaries are expected to benefit from this project.