WBA taps VSU PhilRootcrops for Rootcrops-based Livelihood Program in Basilan

VSU PhilRootcrops and WBA personnel visiting Lantawan mayor Nursiya Ismael
and briefing her on PhilRootcrops and opportunities in root crop-based livelihood programs.

VSU PhilRootcrops' New Mission in Basilan: Establishment of Root crops-based Livelihood Program

The Modelling Inter-LGU Alliance in Basilan (MILAB) project of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) deliberated the establishment of a livelihood program as a subject or focus for their alliance building in the western part of the province of Basilan, especially since one of the major crops in the area, the coconut, has been affected by the infestation of the Cocolisap.

 
The IAG-MILAB, which focuses on alliance building and on how it benefits the allied parties, has already formed the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) which would be the recipient of the planned livelihood program. WBA is currently composed of 4 municipalities which are the Maluso, Lantawan, Sumisip and Tabuan Lasa. Among the other subjects for alliance-building are resource protection, peace promotion, improved communication, etc.

 
The establishment of a root crop-based livelihood program has been considered by MILAB as root crops, especially cassava, are already a staple food in Basilan. In fact, there is already an existing value chain for basic food like the puto (pyuto) made from cassava. However, concerned stakeholders reported gaps like the low shelf life of its raw material, the panggi, or the semi-dried grates that only last for a week.

 
With this, MILAB reached out to PhilRootcrops and asked for technical assistance. As a response, a team from VSU PhilRootcrops went to Basilan to help assess and plan how to improve the food value chains of cassava and other rootcrops in the area.

 
“Gusto na po namin mag-graduate sa panggi.” (We want to graduate from panggi.) This has been stated by one of the members of WBA.

 
The need to expand the value chains has sparked from the necessity of the locals to innovate from panggi and other food products from root crops, as well as due to the Cocolisap infestation in the area that affected their coconut industry, and the need to enhance the peace and order situation in the area. The center plans to enhance the value chains by extending the shelf life of the primary/intermediate products such as grates and making them storable and more tradable like dried grates and flour. The center will provide its technologies and machines developed for the utilization of cassava and other root crops into high-value processed products.

 
The initiative will be a partnership effort of the VSU PhilRootcrops, the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), the Provincial Government of Basilan, and the formed alliance among the municipalities in the Western part of the province or the WBA. The parties agreed during the meeting to have piloting of root crops production area, training on production and processing of root crops, and capacitate the players in the value chain. Among the other things discussed was the possible establishment of PhilRootcrops extension in the Bangsamoro region or to be one of the ministries under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Reference: PhilRootcrops FB Page - https://web.facebook.com/philrootcrops

WBA conduct actual visits to Zamboanga City markets for their fresh and dried seafood produce

WBA participants interact with mall personnel of the KCC Mall de Zamboanga and
understand its procurement of fresh, dried, and processed seafood products.

Zamboanga City (March 29, 2022) - Municipal agriculturists, the office of the provincial agriculturist, provincial and municipal planning and development coordinators, provincial and municipal administrators, alliance management office staff, and officials from the BARMM Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) visit today selected markets in the city for their fresh and dried seafood products.

The first stop was at KCC Mall de Zamboanga City, where WBA, Basilan Provincial Government, and MAFAR personnel observe the products sold and the transaction at the fresh seafood market inside the mall. They also observe the dried fish stall and review processed seafood and local products on display from various food processors within the region. They interact with mall personnel in charge of procurement and replenishment, clarify mall product standards and business processes, and gather contact details.

The second stop is at Talon-Talon Loop, the dried fish center of the city, where participants interact with a big-time dried fish buyer to understand the supply and demand for dried fish around Mindanao as well as sourcing, product standards, pricing (buying and selling) scheme, and transport and logistics. They appreciate the huge cold storage facility constructed by the owner to maintain shelf life and to serve as a buffer for high season when demand for dried fish is high and supply is low. The participant also interact with a big-time fish drier where they saw actual salting and drying processes and the standards being followed at every step of the way.

The third and final stop is interaction with a fish broker facilitating buying and selling of fresh seafood at the city’s main market. The fish broker also explains how products are being sourced from the BARMM island provinces, transported to the city, and in transit to local markets and markets throughout Mindanao.

According to Prof Francis Arroyo, the marketing consultant, today’s activity combines access to and first-hand interaction with mall market, fish drier and distributor, and brokers in Zamboanga City. This will give participants grounded experiences as they explore marketing as a WBA strategy to assist their local fisherfolks and traders by connecting the latter to markets in Zamboanga City and beyond.

The remaining two days provide the participants an opportunity to reflect on the marketing viability and find creative and efficient ways to operate it WBA-wide and sustainably.

WBA is the first inter-LGU cooperation in Basilan Province and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments.