Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) expressed its support to Mindanao farmers during the First Mindanao Farmers Conference on July 13 at the Davao City Recreation Center.
“MinDA’s support forms part of our commitment to make Mindanao’s development more inclusive by supporting initiative for rural development through our IB and MCT programs,” says Nathaniel Dalumpines, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) OIC-Chairman.
With over 3,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and farmer cooperatives from all regions of Mindanao, the conference invited Department of Agriculture (DA) and other government and private agencies to address issues like agrarian reform, farm production and other agriculture-related concerns.
The conference is organized by UNORKA-Mindanao, a federation of ARBs and farmers’ cooperative, is among the first beneficiaries of the Technical Assistance for Fairtrade Compliance provided by MinDA through its Mindanao Collective Trademark (MCT) program.
Fairtrade compliance allows for more stable income for the farmers while reducing the vulnerabilities of their commodities.
Dalumpines emphasized that it is the Duterte administration’s thrust to promote rural development, ensure inclusive growth, and create robust economic activity in areas outside Metro Manila.
The group also endorsed resolutions to the President and key government agencies for necessary interventions particularly on land rights; provision of modern post-harvest facilities, and capacity building on product development and marketing.
