TRAINING ON CULTURAL MANAGEMENT OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTION SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTED AT BARANGAY TINA, SHARIFF AGUAK, MAGUINDANAO

After a month of having focus group discussions (FGD) with residents of Brgy Tina, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, the two partnership offices of the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Incorporated, namely: ABPSD Partnership on Women Affairs for Development and ABPSD Partnership on Agriculture for Development and the Community Center for Services and Development (CCSD), Incorporated had jointly designed the immediate possible activities for the constituents of the above-mentioned barangay in cooperation with the ABPSD Rajah Buayan District. They came-up with a "Training on Cultural Management of Vegetable Production" and scheduled it on January 25 to 29, 2011, to be conducted in the community. Further, the activity was undertaken in cooperation with the following organizations: (a) Development Youth Movement Assembly in Mindanao (DYMAM), (b) Neo-Iranon Multi Sectoral Association (NIMSA), Incorporated, (c) Bansamoro Initiative for Development, (d) Bangsamoro Network and Development Center (NETDEV), Incorporated, (e) Philippine Muslim Educators Society (PMES), Incorporated, and (f) Ummah Community Builders Association (UCBA), Incorporated. The activity was technically supported by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)-ARMM through the Vegetable Production Division.

Finally, on January 25 to 29, 2011, the training was successfully conducted with the joint efforts of the above-named organizations and representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - ARMM, attended by more or less 500 women from five (5) adjacent barangays, namely: Tina, Malingao, Bialong, Pamalian, Pusao and Libutan. The target participants was the women sector of Barangay Tina, but due to impulsive attitudes of women from other barangays they attended the activity.

The training was opened with "Da'wah" facilitated by our brothers from the Community Center for Services and Development, Incorporated with the participation of representative from a certain Chamber of Commerce and Trade and Medical Group in Cotabato City, who shared medicinal aspects of vegetables and its utilities. Further the opening program was pushed forward with opening remarks and gave in detailed the goals and objectives for the activity by Dr. Pendatun A. Pangadil, the Chief Executive Officer / Executive Director of the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Incorporated. It was followed by messages from the representatives of the above-mentioned organizations.

The activity was highlighted by the presence of the World Food Program - Cotabato City Head, Brother Mike Algonsa and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries-ARMM representatives in the persons of Brother Sam, Brother Gani Daud and Sister Albaya Sagad. Brother Mike Algonsa shared message for the participants and invited the stakeholders for joint hands in the development efforts of Barangay Tina and nearby others. He also emphasized that it was a long time he was willing to see and once visited the area, and fortunate that by the activity, it was a reality. Sister Albaya shared the technical aspects of vegetable production and then continue her lecture including supports from the government through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries-ARMM. At around 3:00 0'clock in the afternoon, the team conducted house-to-house visitation and along the way they demonstrated technicalities of planting, not only vegetables but including other farm products.

The following days, Mr. Butocan A. Barodi and Dr. Pendatun Pangadil continue the conduct of training, which even having night session particularly on cereal production and organizational development. For three days period, the two personalities from the ABPSD,Incorporated gave their full efforts in conducting the designed activities of the training.

Simultaneously, the group also conducted "Feedings Activities" for IDP Children, and also served the attendees of training on the foods prepared for feedings. As furtherance of motivational activity, the group distributed also small amount food assistance for the women group who worked for their program and project.

PICTORIAL DURING A TRAINING ON CULTURAL MANAGEMENT OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AT BRGY. TINA, SHARIFF AGUAK, MAGUINDANAO ON JANUARY 25-29, 2011

ABPSD SUBMITTED 2010 DEVELOPMENT REPORT TO CIIF

Sometimes in 2008, the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Incorporated had an engagement with the Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF) on its "Coconut Farm Development Program" (CFDP) on the project/program entitled: ABPSD Ligawasan Coconut Development Program. As initial implementation of the engagement, Coconut Nurseries were established in the following areas: (a) ABPSD Rejah District Coconut Nursery at Sitio Mamisel, Kulambog, Sultan Sa Barongis, Maguindanao (Main Nursery) and in-placed 55,000 coconut seeds; (b) ABPSD Northern Ligawasan District Coconut Nursery at Barangay Bagoinged, Pikit, Cotabato and in-placed 10,000 coconut seeds; (c) ABPSD Iranun District Coconut Nursery at Barangay Gadong, Barira, Maguindanao and in-placed 10,000 coconut seeds; (d) ABPSD Central District Coconut Nursery at Barangay Tawirin, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and in-placed 5,000 coconut seeds; (e) ABPSD Sultan District Coconut Nursery at Barangay Gang,Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and in-placed 5,000 coconut seeds; (f) ABPSD Kablalan District Coconut Nursery and in-placed 5,000 coconut seeds; and (g) ABPSD Special Project Coconut Nursery at Sitio Leneba, Sibuto, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao and in-placed 10,000 coconut seeds. Summing-up, the program in-placed 100,000 coconut seeds in its seven (7) nurseries.

At the end of the 2010, the ABPSD, Incorporated Project Management Office reported that out of the in-placed 100,000 coconut seeds, only 77,600 seedlings were grown and distributed to the beneficiaries, which means 77.60 percent of the in-placed seeds was produced as coconut planting materials and 22.40 percent mortality rate.

After a year period, the ABPSD Committee on Audit and Evaluation conducted assessment and evaluation of the planted coconut seedlings and it was accounted that out of 77,600 distributed seedlings, only 66,639 had grown, which means there is 85.88 percent survived planted coconut seedlings and mortality of 14.12 percent(from seedlings to grown planted; and 66.64% survived and 33.36 % mortality from coconut seeds to grown planted seedling.

Presently, there are 66,639 coconut trees cultured and managed by the farmer beneficiaries and ABPSD farmer members in the Provinces of Maguindanao and Cotabato.

Further, the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Incorporated, particularly through the ABPSD Partnership on Agriculture for Development is working for intensified intervention on further development of the coco farmers and the industry in general in this part of the country, as cases of fertilization, cast cropping, technology transfer and provision of other farm inputs and post-harvest facilities, like cucum dryer.

INDIGENOUS PLANT FOR COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

The Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Incorporated, Partnership on Trade and Industry for Development on ABPSD Community Enterprises Development Program (CEDP) is searching for the processes of developing SME in the areas of operation, presently focus in South Western Regions in Mindanao. Community resources are given more emphasis by the program, which the primary purpose of developing identified resources is local consumption and reconstruction for the IDP's and their communities.

Among local production identified by ABPSD, Incorporated to be pushed for development is "GABI" Production including appropriate technology for processing (transformation) and viability of market. It is also believed that "Research Activities" on this matter will be undertaken to obtain the appropriate steps in the development and innovations for this kind of production.

As furtherance of the ABPSD, Incorporated initiatives for developing this kind of production and further innovations and in response with the Seven Fund and Partner Organizations on Breakthrough Innovations Grant (BIG) submitted a business idea with the following descriptions:

Ligawasan Gabi Farming and Processing: A Linking Tool for Food Security, Rehabilitation and Poverty Alleviation

Rationale

Gabi is a traditional plant grown by our forefathers’ even centuries ago as means of subsistence. It is used as major means of living during long dry season and famine. It can be grown anywhere, in uplands, lowlands and even wetlands. In wetlands, like Ligawasan Marsh areas, the planting of “GABI” is prevalent as stakeholders are planting it even in moving islands of the marsh; however they planted it as menu for consumption and not for surplus production.

If appropriate technology will be applied, stakeholders can enjoy mercies from gabi production. Presence of abundant supplies of gabi, processing technology including market viabilities will definitely enhance living conditions of stakeholders. Once gabi industry will be developed, maximized production, enhanced processing and have viable market, it is solemnly believed that issues on food crisis, displacement, poverty and above all the conflict traversing communities will be minimized if not eradicated.

With these, the ABPSD, Incorporated management perceived that among agricultural products to be developed is “GABI”, hence adopt a business idea” entitled: “Ligawasan Gabi Farming and Processing: A Linking Tool for Food Security, Rehabilitation and Poverty Alleviation”.

Goal and Objectives

Producing abundant gabi in Ligawasan Marsh communities for consumption, community enterprises development and food products for global competitiveness;

Objectives:

1. To enhance awareness on comprehensive utilities of “Gabi Products” in addressing food security, rehabilitation and poverty alleviation;

2. To strengthen capacities and social infrastructure of Ligawasan Marsh stakeholders on gabi production and processing as tools for food security, rehabilitation and poverty alleviation;

3. To establish relevant mechanism on gabi production, processing and marketing characterize competitive even globally addressing rehabilitation, poverty alleviation and food security;

Strategies:

1. Gabi Production. Includes: (a) Awareness and Psychological Formation- Mind setting on gabi production, processing and collaboration; (b) Structuring and Direction Formation – Forming social infrastructure and plan for gabi enterprise development; (c) Capacity Building Formation – Strengthening individuals and groups on gabi production, products processing including organizational and managerial skills; (d) Farm Inputs Formation – Support for gabi production in “Tibayo-A-Kabpamulan” or “Bahay Kubo Taniman” or “Single Parent Production”, Group and Institutionalized Production; and (e) Local Market Formation – Forming local market at infant stage of production, while establishing bigger market outlets.

2. Gabi Products Processing. Includes: (a) Processing Technology Transfer – Initiating various technology transfer trainings in cooperation with LGA’s; (b) Home Gabi Processing Support – Support for households food processing as community SME development; (c) Institutionalized Gabi Processing Support – Support for community model gabi processing enterprises as pilot activities; (d) Establishment of Gabi Processing Plant – Large scale processing of gabi products duly certified and marketable even globally;

3. Gabi Processed Products Marketing. Includes: (a) Products’ Advertisement, (b) Attending Trade Fairs, (c) Attending Conferences, (d) Business Negotiations, and (e) Business Networking

Expected Outcomes:

Productive communities with active, skilled, organized and visionary stakeholders on producing abundant raw and processed gabi products characterize even competitive globally as tool for rehabilitation, food security, poverty alleviation and above-all decent living for peaceful community.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF WOMEN ROLES IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE BUILDING

Residents of several communities in Municipalities of Shariff Aguak, Mamasapano, Datu Unsay, Shariff Saidona Mustapha in Province of Maguindanao after experiencing almost two (2)years living in evacuation centers had returned to their original places after the Ampatuan (Maguindanao) Massacre happened with the imprisonment of Andal Ampatuan's families. Upon return to their areas, several interventions were provided by INGO's with the support of local NGO's and partners, including Line Government Agencies as continuation of what had been done in evacuation centers. In-fact, the returned IDP's were provided with food for work, food for training,kitchen utensils, etc., however, it was observed that out of these interventions, another problems emerged as IDP's are almost living in "Volture Culture",where each one is observant with each other,claiming that others are becoming rich due to the intervention.

It means, several instances that opportunists are given chances to be near the kitchen or employing them as part of the activities, strategizing activities characterized openly for the sake of IDP's, however the truth are for them. From these scenarios, small groups of women emerged and responded to the undesirable norms. They initiated to educate their groups and other sectors not to be disunited with the evil behind the situation but instead jointly working for their rehabilitation in their own ways and strategies. On December 28, 2010, this group invited the Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development, Incorporated with the Hayat-ul Ulama and Youths Organizations for a dialogue at Barangay Tina, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. Fortunately, there were more than 100 women in attendance. From the dialogue, the women group agreed to facilitate the enhancement of their activities on agriculture, such as vegetable production either backyard, group and centralized one, including some community enterprises development as case of weaving mat.

The Hayat-ul Ulama and Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development assured them for a support from their group, which initially pledged to provide technical and some material support. As to this time, the said women group had started their development activities. They had sowed seeds for their program and cleared and cleaned their planting sites. Further, they are waiting for the conduct of training on "Cultural Management of Vegetable Production". The ABPSD, Inc. is looking forward for a support from the Department of Agriculture and other Line Government Agencies.