BARMM – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is set to introduce new agricultural technologies and support agrarian reform in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). In a press release on Thursday, DAR announced that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between its Office for Mindanao Affairs (OMA) and the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) of the Bangsamoro government.
According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Conrado Estrella III of DAR and BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim formalized the MOU on November 28.
Estrella plans to secure additional funding for support services in the Bangsamoro region ahead of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Committee convention expected in 2024. The focus will be on infrastructure projects, farm machinery, equipment, agricultural inputs, and introducing modern farming techniques to farmer-beneficiaries in BARMM. This partnership marks a significant milestone as it is the first time since the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law’s implementation in 1988 that BARMM has established such a collaboration with DAR.
Estrella emphasized the importance of close coordination with the Bangsamoro government to implement DAR’s main programs effectively, including land distribution, agrarian justice delivery, and providing support services. Approximately 103,344.58 hectares are available for distribution in BARMM, benefiting an estimated 65,379 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), 280 ARB organizations, and 110 agrarian reform communities.
OMA Undersecretary Amihilda Sangcopan highlighted the MOU as a testament to Estrella’s commitment to bringing DAR closer to the people of Mindanao and BARMM. The MOU is seen as a cornerstone for the Bangsamoro region’s agrarian reform program, aligning with its priority agenda to enhance rural development, regional food security, and strengthen agri-fisheries production.