First Mindanao Agriculture Forum, 22-23 November 2007 Cagayan de Oro, Philippines   ANGOC and SEARSOLIN were among the supporters of the First Mindanao Agriculture Forum convened by the College of Agriculture of Xavier University (XUCA). Leaders of the different stakeholders including farmers, agri-industries, civil society organizations, academe and research institutions, local government units, financial institutions and government agencies articulated issues, formulated resolutions and adopted a declaration as a commitment towards a more sustainable and equitable agriculture development in Mindanao.   Despite the modest growth that has been achieved in Mindanao, this has not been enough to reduce massive poverty, especially in the rural areas. The participants took note of the challenges faced by the agriculture sector (i.e., negative impact of climate change, declining investments in agriculture, increasing demand for healthy and safe food, and inclusion of agriculture in international trade). As such, there is a need to ensure that the agriculture resource base and the environment are conserved, that indigenous knowledge and cultures are valued, and that the farmers/fisherfolks and indigenous peoples' rights are adhered to. These principles will be guided by the following concerns:  It should be directed towards improving the quality of life of small farmers/fisherfolks in Mindanao who are living in poverty. It should strive to enhance their capacities thereby improving access and control of resources, enhancing productivity and sustaining profitability. The needs of the small farmers/fisherfolk, however, are many and varied. No single organization or line agency of the government can single-handedly respond to their needs effectively. All support organizations and stakeholders, both public and private, should therefore collaborate. The participation of the civil society organizations and private sector should be encouraged, supported and institutionalized. For those who have already satisfied their food needs and have surplus products, the provision of marketing support especially infrastructure, information, postharvest facilities and logistics should be facilitated for them to reach the consumers both local and international. While enhancing support services, the receiving mechanism, that is, the farmer organizations would have to be strengthened. The Agriculture and Fishery Councils, cooperatives, farmer organizations, women associations and other similar groupings should be empowered towards increasing their participation in decision-making processes and effectively engaging the market. Knowledge and technology generation and utilization should be localized. Academic and research institutions should address local needs of the farmers/fisherfolks. LGUs, government agencies and the academe should invest in these endeavors. Towards this objective, we envision a culture of science and development in Mindanao.