MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru) are crafting a livelihood program to turn former rebels into farmers. The two government agencies are collaborating to integrate former communist rebels and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) into plantation-style agriculture, linking them to private-sector buyers. Opapru Secretary Mel Sarmiento said many former combatants, particularly those aged 46 to 60, are better suited for farming enterprises than additional technical courses. Farm commanders or supervisors would oversee production under this initiative, while private entities could provide support and purchase […]...Keep on reading: Gov’t aims to draw former MILF fighters into farming