Photo from MAFAR
COTABATO CITY—Post-harvest processes of several cooperatives and farmers from various provinces in BARMM can now be enhanced after receiving their multi-purpose drying pavements from the Bangsamoro Government.
On May 18, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) organized a turnover ceremony for the agricultural project in the Municipality of Mangudadatu in Maguindanao del Sur.
Later, similar turnover events took place in Mamasapano in Maguindanao del Sur, Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte, Pikit in Special Geographic Area (SGA), and Taraka in Lanao del Sur.
The multi-purpose drying pavements, implemented in collaboration with farmer cooperatives and associations, are solar dryers that enable farmers to dry various crops in agricultural areas across the region.
Engr. Ismail Guiamel, MAFAR Director for Agriculture Services, highlighted that the new drying facilities would directly benefit cooperative members and farmers not only in the construction area but also in neighboring barangays.
“This drying pavement is intended for the cooperative’s use, to foster development and assist farmers in their post-harvest processes within the barangay,” Guiamel said.
Among the five farmer cooperatives that received the projects are Pidsandawan Farmers Producer Cooperative, Roda Al-Maktoum Agriculture Cooperative, Daladagan Amana Agriculture Cooperative (DAAC), Lagunde Pambua Irrigators Association, Inc., and Mangayao Farmers Livelihood Producer Cooperative.
Nasirin Napi, Municipal Planning and Development Chief of Mangudadatu, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Local Government Unit for MAFAR’s efforts in supporting the coops in Barangay Daladagan to minimize post-harvest losses by providing drying infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Amir Pantao, President of DAAC, conveyed the cooperative members’ appreciation as beneficiaries of the project, which will enhance their post-harvest products.
“Rest assured that aside from our cooperative, all of our farmers in our barangay and nearby places will use it and benefit from the drying pavement and we will help each other to give our full care to maintain and sustain this MAFAR project,” he added.
The solar dryer, built by VD Builders, Carlson Construction, and Megablue Construction, is 14 x 30 meters in size, 100mm thick, and can dry 80-100 bags. Its total cost is Php2.5 million. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO with reports from MAFAR)
