COTABATO CITY – Delegates from the Ministry Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), led by Minister Mohammad Yacob, attended the Second Ordinary General Assembly Meeting of the International Agricultural Cities Union (AGRICITIES) held on May 25-27 in Konya Metropolitan Municipality, Turkey.
The assembly aimed to develop cooperation and project opportunities between municipalities in the agricultural and sustainable development field in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Bangsamoro Government, Minister Yacob congratulated Turkish government’s initiative in bringing together countries/cities to interact with each other and share their experience and expertise on agriculture.
“Thank you for inviting the MAFAR-BARMM. This is not only an opportunity but an achievement for us. It is indeed our pleasure to be a participant and become a member of this noble organization,” Yacob said.
Also joining Minister Yacob were MAFAR Director General for Agriculture Dr. Daud Lagasi, and Director-General for Agrarian Reform Dr. Taugan Kikay.
The AGRICITIES identified public institutions and municipalities from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Philippines, especially the MAFAR, to be a member of the union.
“The decision to establish the AGRICITIES is highly commendable as this will empower other members to where techniques and expertise are needed. It makes sense to pool resources and initiatives in areas of common interest to increase the impact of agriculture, promote breakthroughs and boost our ability to compete in world markets,” he added.
Meanwhile during the Global Agriculture Forum, Minister Yacob said, “We have taken measures against global climate change in three topics: supporting production, supporting livestock, and establishing a product distribution system in the region.”
Participants of the general assembly visited different factories in Turkey such as Tumosan 1975, Turko Tractor Factory, Chocolate Factory, Turko Soiless Planting, and Kalkan Meyve Processing Company for dry fruits.(Kasan M. Usop, Jr./BIO)
