The Agriculture Sector of the Community Development in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (CD-CAAM) started its implementation activities and production plan through a workshop on Marketing Strategy on January 15, 2014 at the Purok Site of Brgy. Macabiso, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao.

The workshop aims to enhance the trading capacity of the beneficiaries through improving skills and management in direct selling, marketing, and sustainability of the products.

Facilitated both by BDA and IC Net, the said workshop enlightened the 20 farmer beneficiaries in the importance of this pilot project that intends on enhancing not only production but also the means for maximizing profits from the vegetable products.

Mr. Mohaliden T. Akmad, Regional Project Operations Officer (RPOO) for Agriculture in Central Mindanao presented the results of their Market Survey in the cities of Kabacan, Digos and Davao City. After further explanation to the beneficiaries, proper workshop was followed as to the calculations of their market income tantamount to their market production. Through the process, beneficiaries learned how to reliantly strategize their own marketing and production initiatives.

Putting the Agri team’s best effort, Mr. Shingo Furuichi, JICA Expert on Agriculture acknowledged the progress of the demo farm from land preparation up to this time of production. “I am happy to extend the message from the JICA Headquarters, as they witnessed the progress of this project sector, that they really appreciate the good production of vegetable in the demo farm here in Brgy. Macabiso” he added.

The beneficiaries heightened up their enthusiasm and strong determination by actively participating in the series of workshops conducted from the trainings on vegetable production, pest control management, concussion, vermiculture and vermicomposting and simplified financial literacy.

The workshop was followed by a stakeholders meeting in the afternoon where they identify key issues and concerns that is need to be discussed in the project sector. It is a strategic way to derive common vision on the assessment of the implementation of the project.

Represented by the BDA CD-CAAM PMO Aida M. Silongan, MLGU Agriculture Officer Ibrahim Alimpang, IC Net Program Officer Amina S. Karon, President of the Farmers Association in Brgy. Macabiso, Experts from UPI Agriculture School (UAS) and JICA Expert on Agriculture Mr. Shingo Furuichi, the stakeholders meeting was highlighted with assessment of the implementation and wrapping up of the pilot project for agriculture as guided by the Project Implementation Plan (PPIP).

Pilot Project Implementation Plan for Agriculture

The pilot project for agriculture aims to enhance production, post-harvest technology, and the trading or marketing of vegetables through capacity development and income generation activities for the farmers. The project sites for vegetable production are expected to be a model of peri-urban agriculture with high value vegetables and low-land vegetables for Sultan Mastura. It is also composed of three pillars of activities such as disseminating production techniques at demonstrations farm, enhancing the trading capacity of the perishable products by direct selling and enhancing management skills on agribusiness.

As the inception report stipulates, the CD-CAAM Project will addressed one of the two objectives of the project which is to establish an effective and efficient implementation mechanism for community development projects in the Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (CAAM) through improving livelihood in the community for it assumes that the development of primary industries such as agriculture and fisheries, which are the core means of livelihood in the CAAM, will play a key role to improve livelihood situation of the people. Therefore, improvement of the productivity of individual farmers and fishers will be the first step to revitalize the economy, reduce poverty and raise living standards in the area.

Realizing what have been done from day 1, this pilot project brings greater hopes to the community of Brgy. Macabiso, Sultan Mastura.

Mr. Shingo Furuichi , JICA Expert in Agriculture discussing the objectives of the Market Strategy

The demonstration farm after the Agri teams hardwork

Farmers on the go despite heavy rainfall on the demo farm

Proper meeting discuissions

Stakeholder’s meeting discussion as facilitated by Mr. Furuichi

One of the beneficiaries concentrating on the market strategies formulation

Amina S. Karon, Project Coordinator of IC Net facilitating the workshop proper

Mr. Mohaliden Akamd RPOO for Agri presenting their Market Survey results

beneficiaries on action in preparation of the demo farm

The 20 farmer beneficiaries of Brgy. Macabiso, Sultan Mastura together with BDA CD-CAAM staff Central Mindanao Region and Mr. Takumi Kawahara of IC Net JICA