PAKISAMA Mutual Benefit Association, Inc.
5th Founding Anniversary Celebration of the Agriterra

The Agriterra celebrated its fifth founding anniversary from June 2 to 5, 2003, in Arnhem, Netherlands. They called the whole affair as the "Lustrum".

Domestic and international partners of the Agriterra attended the said event particularly their partners from the developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The PAKISAMA Mutual was one of these partners. The Mutual was represented by its General Manager, Mr. Rainier V. Almazan. 

The week-long celebration started off with an international seminar on macroeconomics for farmer leaders from the developing countries. The theme of the seminar was "From Plunder to Economic Democratisation," in June 4.  Mr. Kees Blokland, Agriterras Executive Director was one of the paper presentor. The seminar was facilitated by Dr. Ruerd Ruben from Wageningen University. See also accompanying documentation of this seminar.

The concluding activity for the week-long affair was the conduct of an attractive and diverse public event in June 5. The chairman of Agriterra, Mr. Gerard Doornbos who is also the acting chairman of the Dutch Farmers' Organisation LTO, officially opened the programme. A debate between key persons from the worlds of development co-operation and agriculture was likewise held.  The affair was graced by the attendance of the Dutch Minister of Development Co-operation, Mrs. Agnes van Ardenne 

Besides the discussion, there were varied and lively programme with music, dance, theatre and an international exhibit of the work of the various Dutch NGOs, which included the Interpolis. The Interpolis, in particular was highlighting its collaboration work with the PAKISAMA Mutual with regards the design and implementation of a microinsurance programme for the poor, particularly in the rural areas.

In fact, the PAKISAMA Mutual together with the Interpolis was nominated for the "Best Partnership of the Year 2003."   They were one of the three selected nominees from Africa and Latin America. However, it was the group from Nicaragua that won the contest. 

Furthermore, Agriterra launched its new programme, the "Tropical Bulls in the Low Lands."  Its aim is to develop new breeds of tropical bulls for the developing countries which will be named after their partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In fact, one or two of the breeds will be named after the PAKISAMA and Mr. Oscar Castillo, the President of the Mutual.

There were around 300 guests, including farmers, rural women, and rural youth from the Netherlands and from many other countries around the world.

[Picture Gallery]