Agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are assured of a ready market for their agricultural products as they have been tapped to provide for the food requirements of inmates in the region.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) last July 28 for its implementation.
The MOU signing was led by DAR Secretary John Castriciones with BJMP-CAR Regional Director Roland Lee Ng Cael and 18 agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) from Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mt. Province.
Castriciones said that the most important and basic consideration in enhancing farmers’ production is the assurance of a ready market as it enables farmers to avoid middlemen who usually dictate low prices for their commodities.
He added that through the strategic partnership, the ARBs will not only get a better return of investment, but consumers will also have access to quality food products.
The partnership is being implemented under the government’s Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty Program.
DAR-CAR Regional Director Eugene Follante said the department will assist and empower the ARBs and ARBOs to increase their production and engagement in agri-based and agri-related enterprises, to allow them to contribute to the well-being and improvement of quality of lives of those living in the agrarian reform communities. (Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz)