Harvesting rice in an area that was deserted due to fighting two years previously. The rice harvest was poor because of bad weather conditions. Drought followed by heavy rain resulted in infestation of the crop. - - Agri-Based Livelihood for Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Soldiers and Their Families in the Special Zone of Peace and Development: PHI/97/025. The project forms an integral part of the United Nations/Multi-donor expanded programme of assistance for the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) soldiers and their families in the special zone of peace and development. The project will support their economic reintegration following the signing of the peace agreement by creating livelihood opportunities through provision of critical agricultural inputs and complementary training in agriculture production and marketing. The United Nations, with its mandate and experience in humanitarian and development assistance worldwide, is assisting the Government of the Philippines in its peace and development effort in this zone. The project is being executed in sixteen states of the special zone for peace and development in Mindanao and Palawan and is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Through capacity building and direct support, the project aims to eradicate poverty by generating employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The target is disadvantaged groups, including unabsorbed MNLF soldiers and families and members of their communities displaced due to civil strife.