Bangsamoro farmers begin journey toward food safety and halal certification

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (MNTV) – Farmers and food processors in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have taken their first steps toward meeting national and international food safety and halal standards, through a new initiative led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the region’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR).

The forum, held recently, brought together farmers, food producers, regulators, and certification experts to map out a roadmap for food safety and halal compliance. The initiative aims to help local agribusinesses meet market standards, improve quality, and expand access to wider markets, including within the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Around 150 participants from across the Bangsamoro region — including those from the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) — received hands-on guidance on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) licensing, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and product registration procedures.

MAFAR Minister Abunawas Maslamama said the program was not just about compliance but about raising the overall standard of the region’s food sector. “This is about strengthening BARMM’s culture of quality and paving the way for our products to access wider markets, not only across the Philippines but within the BIMP-EAGA region,” he said.

For many attendees, the sessions marked the first concrete step toward certification. “We realized that certification is not only a requirement – it is a key to access bigger markets and make our products more trusted,” said Muslimin Salih, chairperson of the Magungaya sa Langgapanan Farmers and Fisherfolks Marketing Cooperative in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao del Sur.

Salih admitted that many previously found the process too complex. “Now we see the opportunities for our marinated dalag, carp, tilapia, and other products to reach both local and international buyers,” she said.

The sessions also included technical guidance on sanitary standards, product labeling, and registration, helping local producers better understand how to align with national and global certification systems.

MAFAR credited the European Union (EU) for supporting the initiative through its project Inclusive Agribusiness Development for Human Security under the EU-Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Programme (EU-BAEP). The EU-BAEP forms part of the bloc’s long-term commitment to peacebuilding and inclusive economic growth in the Bangsamoro region.