TANTANGAN, South Cotabato- On March 2, 2023, the ATI-RTC XII and FAO-UN held an exploratory meeting. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) recognized ATI-RTC XII's achievements and efforts in empowering the region's youth through localized leadership and agri-entrepreneurial skills training through the Binhi ng Pag-asa Program (BPP). The FAO has stated its intention to collaborate with ATI-RTC XII through a project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The FAO-UN in partnership with the Government of the Philippines, and with funding support from the Government of the Republic of Korea through the KOICA is implementing a 5-year project entitled “Support to Agriculture and Agribusiness Enterprises in Mindanao Sustainable Development”, supporting the forty-two (42) Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) as project beneficiaries situated in the ten (10) municipalities in North Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces as well as Cotabato City as project sites. 

During the meeting, BPP Focal Person and Information Officer II Mr. John Lord L. Auman presented the Project Overview and the Accomplishments of the program which was conducted last July-December 2022. Mr. Auman also shared the best practices, challenges, and recommendations during the implementation of the said program. 

Through the said partnership, the agencies will reach out to more out-of-school youth in their project sites, enhance their capacities to undertake viable agribusiness enterprises having strong growth potentials, and ultimately influence young people to consider agriculture both as a career and a livelihood option. 

Also present in the meeting were former BPP Project Management Officer I Ms Gladys Hazel E. Cafe, Admin Assistant I Ms Kissciel L. Rubi, FAO-UN Agribusiness & Marketing Specialist Mr. Jovel Grand Marquez and Project Field Assistant Mr. Harron John Abdul.