Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar assures that Mindanao is on top of the development agenda of the government, as it continues to be a stable source of export quality commodities.

In his message during the Hijo Central Development Launch on September 15 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Dar said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is lining up projects and programs to fully develop the potentials of Mindanao as the country’s food basket.

“We will work with the legislative body towards industrialization and mechanization of agriculture, and see that the vision is realized.”

“It is important to note that top of our exports come from Mindanao,” Dar said.

The Secretary added that under his leadership, DA will pour in more resources and implement more projects in Mindanao.

“We will maximize your good soil and weather, and so a bigger portion of the DA funds will be proportioned here,” he said.

The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization data show that Mindanao supplies over 40 percent of the country’s food requirements and contributes to about 30 percent of the national food trade. ### (Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFID)