By Rene Estremera | 10 February 2026
The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UP Mindanao) formalized a partnership with the Bangsamoro Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) Project. The signing ceremony was held at UP Mindanao on 4 February 2026.
The MOA was signed by MAFAR Minister Abunawas L. Maslamama, UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr., and UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni E. Murao.
Dr. Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava, Dean of the UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) and SARAI Project Leader, presented Project SARAI as a data-driven initiative that provides science-based answers to key crop management concerns—such as when, where, and what to plant; efficient irrigation, fertilization, and pest management; weather monitoring; and crop production mapping. For BARMM, the project will focus on priority crop characterization in selected municipalities, deployment of SARAI technologies, and capacity-building for partner LGUs, including the establishment of an integrated crop monitoring and forecasting system using drones, GIS, remote sensing, and automated weather stations.
In her message, Chancellor Murao emphasized the deeper purpose of the partnership. “Today, we affirm a shared purpose that speaks to our responsibility to the land, to our farmers, and to the future of the Bangsamoro,” she said.
“Agriculture is not just an economic sector—it is a way of life. Our partnership reflects a commitment that knowledge must serve people, research must reach the field, and development must be felt especially by those who need it most. This agreement is not a destination, but the beginning of a collective journey toward resilient agriculture, empowered farmers, and a more hopeful future for the region.”
She also acknowledged the members of the Technical Working Group of the UP Bangsa Development Initiative for their sustained efforts in building the partnership. “Behind today’s ceremony is the dedication of our TWG, who worked ceaselessly on the ground and built the foundation of trust that brings us here,” she noted.
Minister Maslamama expressed MAFAR’s strong support for the collaboration, underscoring its impact on farmers. “This project empowers us to pursue timely, data-based agriculture and directly serves our farmers, especially those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities. For many farmers, this initiative is life-changing,” he said. He added that the project aligns with the Bangsamoro development agenda of strengthening food security, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting economic stability, with the ministry committed to its transparent and effective implementation.
Chancellor Camacho likewise conveyed confidence in the partnership’s success. “I am very confident that this agreement is bound to succeed,” he said, citing the shared vision of the partner institutions, the expertise of the project teams, and the strong collaboration between UP and Bangsamoro stakeholders.
The collaboration highlights the shared commitment to strengthening food security, enhancing climate resilience, and improving agricultural productivity—especially for farmers in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities.
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