Mindanao Talks: Innovation of Agribusiness for Rural Economy Development

Event Details

Mindanao is the Philippines' second largest island and nearly 1/3 (one-third) of Mindanao's land area is deeply committed to agriculture. By its rich natural resources, Mindanao has been called the country's "Land of Promise." The region supplies over 40 percent of the country's food requirements and contributes more than 30 percent to national food trade. As technology continues to advance and markets become more global, agricultural businesses in Mindanao evolved to meet and address high-tech farming demands and conflicts.

With the ongoing progress of Mindanao into the new normal, the modernization of agricultural farming towards a thriving agribusiness-driven industry contributes to the Philippine government's inclusive growth and rural development agenda. Furthermore, despite the effects of changing weather patterns and related extreme events on agricultural operations, Mindanao's economy remains dominated by agriculture, with strong opportunities for agri-industrial growth. As a result, the LGUs have been introducing various productivity enhancing technologies to improve household incomes and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

In line with this, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines will be hosting a webinar entitled "Mindanao Talks: Innovation of Agribusiness for Rural Economy Development" which will be held on June 22, 2022 from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (GMT +8) via Zoom. This webinar aims to provide a comprehension for farmers and business owners to compete and remain viable in a global marketplace, they draw upon business principles and a complex network of agriculture and business professionals.

For registration and partnership inquiries, please contact Joanne Natindim at joanne.natindim@eccp.co m.

Speakers

Maria Lourdes Lim
Regional Director of NEDA XI
Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim is a government economist, with post graduate degrees in
Economics from the University of the Philippines School of Economics and a Ph.D in
Organizational Management and Institutional Development (honoris causa). Currently, she is the
Regional Director of NEDA Regional Office XI in Davao City and the ex-officio Vice-Chairperson of
the Regional Development Council (RDC) XI. The RDC is the primary institution that coordinates and
sets the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region. It also serves as the forum
where local efforts can be related and integrated with national development activities to ensure
sustainable, participatory and equitable development.

Her major accomplishments include her proactive and sustained leadership in the pursuit of
peace and development in Southern Philippines through participative planning, strategic
investments promotion, resource mobilization, and results-based monitoring and evaluation.

As an advocate and practitioner of development planning, she spearheaded the formulation and
updating of the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP), 2017-2022; Davao Regional
Development Investment Program (DRDIP), 2017-2022; Davao Regional Results Matrices, 2017-
2022; Davao Gulf Area Development Plan, 2012- 2030; Diwalwal Mineral Reservation Area
Development Plan (DMRADP) 2012-2032; Mindanao Spatial and Strategic Development
Framework (MSSDF), 2015-2045 and the Davao Region Industry Cluster Roadmap. She also led
the appraisal of major infrastructure projects in the Region, which were approved by the NEDA
Board, such as the Mindanao Railway Project Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment), Davao City Coastal
Road Project, and the Davao City Bypass Road Construction Project, among others.
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Mr. Giacomo Casari
Agribusiness Specialist at FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Mr Giacomo Casari is an agribusiness specialist working in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific with expertise in agricultural value chains, agribusiness development and food systems. His current focus is on innovation along the agrifood chain, including the digitalization of small and medium agrifood enterprises, and food tourism.

He regularly provides technical support to the FAO Philippine Country Office regarding agribusiness development initiatives in the country, including the Mindanao region
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Carlota S. Madriaga
Regional Technical Director for Operations of Department of Agriculture - X
Ms. Madriaga has served as Director III (Regional Technical Director) in DA Region 10 since 2019 as RTD for Operations mobilizing the region’s agricultural development in ensuring food security
and sustainability. During her stint, Region 10 steadied its partnership with the different key stakeholders especially
during the COVID-19 pandemic in the implementation of food resiliency programs and projects, aside from the hybrid rice and corn derby initiated in DA’s research stations to provide a location specific recommendation to the farmers. She has provided great opportunities in solidifying DA’s efforts in making it a more productive region aside from affecting change in the lives of the farmers and fisherfolk, including the Indigenous Peoples Community in ensuring food security and sustainability. She has established a good rapport with the LGUs and other stakeholders in implementing the Programs and projects of the department.
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