Turkey to assist BARMM agri sector

DAVAO CITY --- The government of Turkey vowed to extend assistance to farmers, agriculturists, and leaders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In a press statement released last August 24, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), through its Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, will forge an agreement with the government of Turkey through its Ambassador to the Philippines Artemiz Sumer to help the region's agriculture sector.

Piñol said Sumer wants to start the Joint Exchange Program this September.

He said the Turkish envoy told him that the assistance would be Turkey’s “contribution” to the peace efforts of President Rodrigo Duterte in Mindanao.

Piñol, a former secretary of Department of Agriculture, said the governors, mayors, farmer leaders, and agriculturists will undergo a seven-day short course, including exposure to modern agricultural places, in Turkey.

The MinDa official said the trainings and exposures include grains production, dairy farming, cattle and goat-raising, which are seen to boost the potentials of the Philippines and the trillion-worth global halal markets.

The scholars from the five BARMM provinces will be sent in five batches to Turkey.

Upon their return, the scholars are expected to share and implement what they have learned in Turkey to boost the agriculture sector of the region.

Piñol said the Turkey International Cooperation Agency (TICA) will conduct follow through programs to ensure that inputs learned would be applied in their respective provinces they represent. (DIGNA BANZON, PNA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)