New JICA-MAFAR Partnership to Support Livelihoods and Peacebuilding in the Bangsamoro

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched a new partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) to strengthen livelihoods and support long-term peacebuilding efforts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Implemented under JICA’s Technical Cooperation for Grassroots Projects (TCGP) scheme, the “Project to Develop Cacao and Chocolate Industries for Peace in the Bangsamoro Region” will work with Hiroshima University and local cooperatives from January 2026 to January 2028 to expand opportunities in the region’s emerging cacao and chocolate sector.

The project aims to support community-based cacao growers in enhancing bean quality and adopting improved post-harvest and processing practices so they can participate more competitively in the local cacao industry. This is particularly relevant as national studies note that farmers in different parts of Mindanao face challenges from pests, diseases, and environmental pressures that affect yield and consistency. By building technical knowledge and strengthening production skills, the initiative seeks to support more stable and sustainable livelihoods for farming households.

Two cooperatives will serve as model sites for training and capacity-building. In Maguindanao del Norte, the Al Noor Salam (Light of Peace) Farm will receive tailored support to improve production consistency. In Lanao del Sur, Kakaw Meranaw – already engaged in both bean production and chocolate making – will be assisted in refining its processing methods and enhancing product quality. Hiroshima University will lead technical instruction, including hands-on training on cultivation techniques, fermentation, drying, and quality control.

The first cacao training session is currently being conducted in Tupi, South Cotabato, from March 27 to April 1, 2026. The training brings together cooperative members from Maguindanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur for intensive, hands-on learning with experts from Hiroshima University. Training sessions cover key aspects of cacao production, including fermentation, planting, and fertilization techniques.

Selected cooperative members will also receive advanced chocolate-making training in Hiroshima, gaining specialized skills to share upon their return. The partnership also supports the early development of “Chocolate for Peace,” using cacao to promote peacebuilding, community empowerment, and future market readiness within and beyond Bangsamoro communities.

MAFAR technical and administrative staff join the training sessions and will engage in remote consultations with technical experts as part of the project’s institutional strengthening component. A cacao research and support network will also be established with institutions in Western Mindanao to help address production-related challenges, including pest and disease management.

JICA expresses its sincere appreciation to MAFAR and other stakeholders, and hopes for the establishment of strong, sustainable business models for high-quality, branded cacao beans and chocolate across the Bangsamoro region, contributing to peacebuilding efforts through sustainable livelihoods.

This initiative, together with JICA’s ongoing cooperation projects in Mindanao, represents a meaningful step forward as Japan and the Philippines commemorate 70 years of friendship in 2026, reaffirming JICA’s commitment to advancing human security, fostering peace, and supporting inclusive and sustainable development in the region.