COTABATO CITY- After extensive deliberations, the Bangsamoro Parliament approved on third and final reading a measure that will establish the Bangsamoro Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute (BAFTI), an institution that will offer highly technical training and short courses to farmers and fisherfolk in the region.
With 45 affirmative and zero negation and abstention, members of the Parliament gave their resounding approval for BAFTI’s creation.
Bangsamoro Speaker Pangalian Balindong lauded the passage of the measure, highlighting its importance to ensure agri-fishery productivity and food security in the region.
Filed by the Government of the Day, the Bangsamoro Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute Act, prioritizes research on modern agri-fisheries trends as well as marketing and enterprise, ensuring technologically-driven agricultural practices.
Member of the Parliament Matarul Estino, chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform, said that the BAFTI is a testament to the Bangsamoro government’s understanding and responsiveness to the unique needs of the farmers and fisherfolk in the region.
He added that it will “pave the way for modern trends in training that are culturally, geographically, and analytically appropriate.”
MAFAR Minister Mohammad Yacob shared the same sentiments and said the bill’s enactment will provide the constituents with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their agricultural and fisheries practices, leading to increased productivity and income.
As outlined in the bill, the powers and functions of the BAFTI include leading the implementation of highly technical training and short courses related to agriculture and fisheries; formulating and implementing the regional agriculture and fisheries extension (AFE) agenda and budget; preparing an integrated plan for publicly-funded training programs in agriculture and fisheries; and formulate and issue guidelines in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating AFE programs, as well as accreditation of agricultural and fisheries extension services in coordination with MAFAR.
In addition, training needs assessment for the farmers and fisherfolk will be conducted by the Institute together with MAFAR and concerned local government units to deliver the correct, culturally appropriate, and relevant training to the beneficiaries.
Training officers will also be stationed in the mainland and island provinces, including the BARMM’s Special Geographical Area, for efficient collaboration and to better serve the farmers and fisherfolk.
Meanwhile, the BAFTI, in coordination with the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, national and local offices, and other public and private organizations, will create agriculture and fisheries courses, including long-term ladderized training on agriculture and fisheries, and related marketing and enterprise.
Aside from this, it will also partner with the Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority to disseminate information on training and extension services to assess the needs of farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives and will assist in the development and promotion of the halal industry and halal standards and its incentives in all training modules. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)
No comments:
Post a Comment