Landbank cites contributions to Mindanao farm development.

At least 10 lead institutions and implementing agencies are pooling their resources anew to pump-prime Mindanao's bid to become the food basket of the Philippines as declared by President Estrada during the 2nd Mindanao Food Congress held Feb. 25 and 26 in General Santos City.

"Food security requires a multi-pronged approach with government providing a conducive policy environment and, equally important, financing programs and credit windows for food production and processing," Florido Casuela, president and chief executive officer of Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank), told delegates to the food congress.

The LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines are the two lead government institutions tasked with operating a well-oiled …