The Turkish government has extended PHP1.9 million worth of agricultural tools and vegetable seeds to five agriculture cooperatives in Maguindanao to increase productivity.

Minister Dr. Mohammad Yacob of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM), said Tuesday the assistance that could improve the productivity of some 230 farmer-beneficiaries.

“We are very thankful to the people of Turkey for their unwavering support to us from human capacity development, technical and educational assistance, and research enhancement to provisions of various agricultural inputs,” Yacob said.

A ceremony marked the Turkish aid turnover Monday afternoon at the BARMM center here.

In 2020, Turkey officials conducted evaluations of several cooperatives in Maguindanao, and those who passed received agricultural tools and seeds.

The assistance, facilitated by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), is complementary to MAFAR interventions relative to high-value crop production of vegetable farmers through the provision of agricultural tools and vegetable seeds.

“I am sincerely hoping that this project will contribute to the prosperity of Bangsamoro farmers and their families, paving the way for further fostering of ties between Turkey and the Philippines, TIKA Country Director Fahri Burak Aydoglu, said in a statement read by Project Assistant Albana Delna Mohammad.

Since 2015, the Turkish government has implemented various projects in the BARMM region that included the construction of five schools, three birthing clinics, the provision of a mobile clinic, and the annual distribution of Ramadan food packages. (PNA)