The Bangsamoro region paid tribute to its food producers as the 2025 Bangsamoro Farmers and Fisherfolk Week was held on August 20–21 at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. Bearing the theme “Makabagong Magsasaka at Mangingisda, Susi sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas,” the event underscored the crucial role of farmers and fisherfolk in food security and economic development, as shared in a Facebook post of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR).

A highlight of the two-day celebration was the MAFARLENGKE Trade Fair, which gathered 23 exhibitors from Learning Sites for Agriculture, fisheries groups, and agribusiness ventures. Exhibitors displayed a variety of products ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to aquaculture harvests and processed goods. The fair also provided a venue for building market linkages and exploring new business opportunities.

The event likewise featured a Matching and Market Linkages Session, where cooperatives and buyers—including local institutions and hospitals—explored partnerships for sustainable supply of agri-fishery products. Farmers and fisherfolk also received inputs to improve productivity, while recognition awards with cash incentives were given to individuals and organizations for their contributions to the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

In his keynote, MAFAR Minister Abunawas L. Maslamama lauded the resilience of farmers and fisherfolk, calling them “living heroes” of the Bangsamoro. He emphasized that every harvest represents the dream of prosperity and food security. The weeklong celebration, organized by MAFAR, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting modernized, empowered, and sustainable farming and fishing communities across BARMM.