DAVAO CITY – Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol disclosed they are currently searching for at least 6,000 hectares in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which they intend to convert into a banana plantation area for former rebels down south.
Piñol said they are targeting the vast lands of Maguindanao, Sultan Kuadarat, North Cotabato and Lanao del Sur in their attempt to provide a substantial livelihood program for former fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Piñol earlier announced that he signed a deal with a big Japanese company, Farmind Corp., for P5 billion worth 20 million boxes of Cavendish bananas from the Philippines a year.
He said this will generate about 14,000 farm workers and benefit the former rebels as they plan to develop 7,000 hectares of banana farms in the conflict areas in the Southern Philippines.
Piñol added that among the deals signed with Japanese businessmen in Japan during last year’s state visit were investments in manufacturing and agriculture that will generate considerable number of jobs.
“Japan is well-placed to remain as the Philippines top trading partner,” added Piñol. (Antonio L. Colina IV)