AFF clusters under the Mt. Inayawan-Illana cluster convergence initiative undergo an enterprise assessment and evaluation in Iligan City.

 

ILIGAN CITY – After five years from its launching, the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD) conducted an enterprise assessment and evaluation for two Agriculture, Fishery, and Forestry (AFF) clusters in Mt. Inayawan – Illana Cluster Convergence Initiative on June 25-28, in this town.

The two clusters assessed are Buriasan Gamal Sapad Pili Dansalan (BUGAS PIDA) Marketing Cooperative of Sapad town and Barangay Calube Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BACFA-MPC) in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, both from Lanao del Norte.

In an interview with Marineh V. Ambrosio, Executive Assistant III of NCI-SRD, she said that the goal for conducting the activity is to fully assess the AFF clusters to be able to identify the necessary interventions that can help them with their respective enterprises.

“After the assessment report is furnished, we will endorse this to the agencies that are part of the convergence initiative which is DA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). From there, we hope that they will identify interventions that their respective offices can offer for the AFF clusters to elevate their enterprise to a higher level.”

Luzviminda F. Tolentino of DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service and also a member of the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery Enterprise Cluster and Business Development Component Working Group (AFFECBDO CWG), was glad that the members of the convergence are well represented for the said activity.

“I’m happy that everyone from the four agencies are present for the assessment. This is an assurance of our convergence efforts. I am hoping that the results of our assessments will soon be realized so we can help these clusters have a better way of living” Tolentino said.

Other AFFECBDO CWG members present in the assessment are Alvin Paul Dirain of DA, Randelle Ralph Canicosa of DENR, and Agnes U. Rojas of DAR. Regional counterparts form DA, DENR, DAR, and DILG are also present in the said assessment with the assistance from the Provincial Agriculture Office of Lanao del Norte.

The Convergence Area Development Plan of Mt. Inayawan-Illana Cluster, which comprises the municipalities of Kapatagan, Nunungan, Sapad, and Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte was launched in August 22, 2019.

The said cluster was also chosen by the NCI as one of the ten initial Local Convergence Agro-Enterprise Cluster pilot areas in the country. # (CRS)