We, at PAN Asia Pacific and our network of farmers groups, rural women, youth, fisher folks, indigenous peoples, rights advocates and grassroots and civil society organisations across the globe, extends our greetings of Solidarity and best wishes for MASIPAG/Farmer-Scientist Partnership for Development in its 10th General Assembly, April 5, 2019.
The theme “Ipagtagumpay ang interes ng mga magsasaka! Isulong ang soberanya sa pagkain sa harap ng lumalalang pandaigdigang krisis sa agrikultura! Tutulan panunupil sa mamamayan!” (Uphold Farmers’ Rights! Assert Food Sovereignty Amidst Worsening Global Crisis in Agriculture! Resist Repression of the People!), shows why you remain relevant and a significant part of people’s struggles the world over. For over 30 years, your dedication in advancing development in agriculture that is people-based and farmer-led has always been inspiring as it is steadfast. The ever-growing number of MASIPAG farmers all over the Philippines is living proof of your great work and dedication to the rural sector. No wonder farmers groups in different parts of Asia always look up to the MASIPAG model of sustainable farming.
MASIPAG’s contribution in the advancement of Agroecology and the struggle for Food Sovereignty in the Philippines and Asia is exemplary and worthy of accolades.
Over the years of our partnership, PANAP has been a witness of how you sow, cultivate and harvest seeds of hope and victories amid many struggles that the Filipino people face. With your pursuit of “a holistic approach to development, community empowerment, and people’s control over agricultural biodiversity as a contribution in the over-all effort of improving the quality of life of small farmers” using the different strategies and programmes you have developed with the farmers and scientists, we are confident that you will go on for many more years!
PAN Asia Pacific will always stand side by side with MASIPAG and the Filipino farmer-scientist partnership for genuine development in agriculture. We are proud to have you as one of our reliable and long-time partners.
Once again, our warmest Solidarity greetings and Congratulations!
Sarojeni Rengam
Executive Director
PAN Asia Pacific
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