BARMM’s post-harvest facility benefits farmers affected by typhoons in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur. (Photo courtesy of MAFAR)
COTABATO CITY—Maguindanao del Sur farmers affected by typhoons are benefitting from BARMM’s post-harvest facility.
As the wet season arrived, torrential rain across the plains of Maguindanao del Sur drastically affected rice production. It’s timely for BARMM’s Ministry of Agriculture to open another post-harvest facility for farming communities in the said province.
The new facility, equipped with a solar dryer and a rice processing complex, was turned over by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform on August 24. Its purpose is to address and reduce unprecedented post-harvest losses during times of disasters.
The Damalasak Uyag-Uyag Farmer’s Cooperative from Brgy. Damalasak in Pagalungan of the province, received this warehouse worth P5.16 million, which can store 10,000 bags and has a solar dryer with a drying capacity of 80-100 bags.
Dr. Daud Lagasi, the Bangsamoro Director-General for Agriculture Services, encouraged the farmers to make the most of this innovative facility, which offers comprehensive services from drying to secure storage.
“This is one of the priority programs of the Bangsamoro Government through MAFAR to provide the necessary support to our farmers and fisherfolks,” Lagasi emphasized, underscoring that this is part of BARMM Chief Minister’s Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Mayor of Pagalungan, Salik Mamasabulod, mentioned that the introduction of the facility is poised to bring transformative advantages to local farmers.
Accordingly, Brgy. Damalasak is one of the flood-prone areas in the town of Pagalungan and this project, making this project particularly beneficial for farmers, especially during the crucial harvest season. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO with reports from MAFAR)
