DAR, MAFAR ink deal to bolster agrarian reform in BARMM

Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III (second from left) and BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim (third from left) sign the memorandum of understanding to enhance the agrarian reform program in the Bangsamoro region.

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration and resource sharing in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in the region.

The MOU was signed on November 28, 2023, by DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III and BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim. This landmark agreement marks the first formal partnership between DAR and BARMM since the enactment of the CARP in 1988.

Under the MOU, DAR and MAFAR will collaborate in various aspects of agrarian reform, including land distribution, agrarian justice delivery, and provision of support services to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

The agencies will also work together to identify and address the specific needs of BARMM farmers, who face unique challenges due to the region’s history of conflict and poverty.

Secretary Estrella has committed to closely coordinate with the Bangsamoro government to ensure the successful execution of DAR’s key programs, which include land distribution, agrarian justice delivery, and the provision of support services.

In anticipation of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Committee convention in 2024, Estrella plans to secure additional funding for these services in the Bangsamoro region. This funding will be directed towards infrastructure projects, farm machinery and equipment, and agricultural inputs.

“We will also provide new agricultural technologies and introduce more modern and scientific ways of farming to BARMM’s farmer-beneficiaries,” stated Estrella.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim views the MOU as a foundational element for the region’s agrarian reform program. He believes that this partnership will enhance the implementation of the program, which is a priority for the Bangsamoro government.

The focus is on boosting the agricultural value chain, fostering rural development, improving regional food security, and strengthening agri-fisheries production. These efforts are aimed at elevating the socio-economic status of farmers and their families in the region.

The MOU is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of over 65,000 ARBs in BARMM. The agencies will work together to identify and distribute land to eligible ARBs, provide them with legal assistance, and connect them with support services such as access to credit, agricultural inputs, and training.

The signing of the MOU is a significant step forward for agrarian reform in BARMM. The agreement demonstrates the commitment of both the national and regional governments to improving the lives of farmers and ensuring that they have access to the land and resources they need to thrive.

OMA Undersecretary Amihilda J. Sangcopan emphasized the significance of the MOU, highlighting it as a reflection of Secretary Estrella’s dedication to bringing DAR’s services closer to the people of Mindanao and BARMM.

“This MOU strongly affirms the commitment of DAR and BARMM to improve the lives of farmers and families, reflecting Secretary Estrella’s unwavering dedication to pave the way for a more sustainable future for the well-being of every farmer in the country” Sangcopan said.