AMA: Agriculture deal with Bahrain fell through

Contrary to reports, the joint venture project between Bahrain and the AMA Group to develop a corporate farm in Mindanao to supply rice, bananas and other needs of Bahrain did not push through for lack of suitable land.

“The call of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Secretary General Danilo Ramos for Congress to investigate and stop this project was not needed in the first place if only he made even a cursory inquiry,” said Angel Enrico E. Mira, AMA Group legal counsel.

“The call was unfortunate and misguided because its bottom line was to keep the Philippines and its countryside from developing, from generating jobs for the very poor, and from exporting, which are all hallmarks of a vibrant economy,” he said.

The bottom line of Ramos’ call, he said, was to keep farmers from opportunities to earn more and learn new technologies because the project was open to promoting properly funded and managed farmers’ cooperatives to ensure supply.

“Mr. Ramos’ call was an anti-farmer stance, the exact opposite of his duty to help them. His call in effect wants the farmers to remain poor,” he added.

Mira said if a similar project comes along, Ramos should instead look for ways to make his constituents participate in and benefit from it.

“Collaboration instead of obstruction is the better and wiser  approach. Times have changed, and if people do not, our country will continue to be a laggard in the region,” Mira said.