The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) held its first Regional Management Committee (RMC) meeting on October 9, 2019 in Cotabato City.

The one-day event brought together all agencies with functions related to agriculture, fisheries and agrarian reform that serve the provinces in BARMM, whether these are under the BARMM or the National Government, such as: MAFAR; Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) XIV-BARMM; National Irrigation Administration (NIA) of Regions IX, X and XII; National Food Authority (NFA) XIV-BARMM; Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of Regions XII and IX; Philippine Rice Institute (PhilRice), Midsayap, Cotabato Branch; Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation of Region XII; Philippine Statistics Authority-BARMM; Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)-BARMM; and, Land Bank of the Philippines.

Updates on programs, projects and activities (PPAs) of the above agencies were presented, and issues which affect farmers and fisherfolk in BARMM were discussed.

When asked about the remedies and actions towards the mitigation of the prevalent low copra prices, PCA, represented by Regional Manager Marina B. Wahab, reported that several actions are being recommended and undertaken by PCA, such as: the conduct of nationwide consultations on the lifting of the ban on the export of mature coconuts; proposed Direct Copra Marketing (DCM) program; recommendation of increasing the biodiesel blend from B2 to B5; diversification of coconut farming through intercropping, livestock integration and coconut processing; and, Buko marketing, among others.

By: PCA XIV-BARMM