NBSC Champions Northern Mindanao’s Agricultural Transformation through Metropolitan Food and Agri-Based Product Cluster Initiative with MOA Signing Ceremony
November 18, 2024—The Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC) came to the forefront of an initiative poised to redefine the agricultural and economic landscape of Northern Mindanao as it hosted the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing Ceremony for the Research Project on the Feasibility Study for the Proposed Metropolitan Food and Agri-Based Products Cluster (MFAPC) Approach for Northern Mindanao.
The event convened key stakeholders and representatives from partnered regional government line agencies and academic institutions, uniting in the shared vision of advancing the region’s agricultural sector through strategically clustering food and agri-based industries. Regional directors, SUC presidents, and their representatives from the following government agencies and academic institutions in Region X were present in the MOA Signing Ceremony:
- Department of Agriculture
- National Economic Development Authority
- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Department of Science and Technology
- Department of Information and Communications Technology
- National Irrigation Administration
- Philippine Statistics Office
- Department of Public Works and Highways
- Northern Bukidnon State College
- Central Mindanao University
- University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines
- Mindanao State University at Naawan
- Camiguin Polytechnic State College
- Northwestern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology
The former College President, Dr. Catherine Roween C. Almaden, led the project, marking a significant step in NBSC’s leadership role in advancing regional development. The current College President, Dr. Christie Jean Villanueva-Ganiera, CESE, strongly supports the initiative and continues to advocate for the project’s objectives under her leadership.
The MFAPC project seeks to assess the viability of establishing a metropolitan cluster for food and agri-based products by creating agro parks (APs), consolidation centers (CCs), and rural transformation centers (RTCs) for each identified cluster in Northern Mindanao while leveraging the region’s abundant resources and strategic location. Through this approach, the initiative will enhance supply and value chains, improve market access, promote environmentally sustainable practices, and foster partnerships across sectors.
As the host and lead implementor through the Project Leader, Dr. Mary Koren Witting-Acuesa, NBSC is vital in coordinating efforts, conducting in-depth studies, and engaging various stakeholders to ensure success. The institution’s leadership, now under Dr. Ganiera, reflects a continued commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth for the communities it serves. The MOA signing ceremony solidifies the shared vision of various government institutions and academe for advancing food security and economic development in Northern Mindanao. NBSC’s leadership sets a precedent for how educational institutions can drive transformative initiatives that create lasting impacts on local and regional levels.
