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Kabacan, Cotabato – The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) hosted key figures from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on January 17, 2025, to discuss potential collaboration aimed at elevating Mindanao’s fruit and vegetable sectors to industry-level operations.
Mr. Sylvester Sales, Development Management Officer of MinDA, and Dr. Evelyn Taboada, a UNIDO consultant, met with USM representatives at the Extension Services Office (ESO) Conference Room. The meeting was facilitated by Dr. Glyn G. Magbanua, ESO Director, and Dr. Mel Chrisel Sales of the College of Agriculture.
Discussion focused on identifying challenges, gaps, and needs within the fruit and vegetable sectors. Participants explored strategies to enhance production and marketing, with the goals of improving food security, reducing food losses, fostering climate change resilience, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices among farmers in the region. The meeting also explored the potential roles of each organization in a proposed collaborative project.
Dr. Magbanua conveyed USM’s strong interest in participating in the project, assuring MinDa and UNIDO of the university’s commitment to fulfilling its assigned responsibilities.
Following the meeting, Mr. Sales and Dr. Taboada toured USM’s facilities, including the Science and Technology (S&T) Laboratory, Food Processing Laboratory, and the High-Value Processing Center, guided by Dr. Mel Sales.
The visit concluded with a meeting with Prof. Debbie Verzosa, Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension. Dr. Verzosa expressed her gratitude to MinDA and UNIDO for recognizing USM as a key partner in Region XII, emphasizing the university’s dedication to bringing research and development closer to farmers.
This potential partnership positions USM to play a crucial role in the sustainable industrialization of Mindanao’s fruit and vegetable sectors, contributing to regional economic growth and global sustainability efforts.
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