COTABATO CITY—To support cooperatives of former combatants who have transitioned into farming, the Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), provided comprehensive livelihood packages containing agricultural inputs and equipment on July 28 and July 31, 2023.
The distribution of agricultural inputs and farm machinery aimed to streamline farming operations, increase productivity, lower labor costs, and promote sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.
On July 28, the Wal Farmers Association (WFA) from Maguindanao received a range of farm machinery, including 2 units of Rice Reaper, 1 unit of Rice Combine Harvester, 2 units of Rice Thresher, 1 unit of Rice Transplanter, 1 unit of Corn Mill, and 3 rolls of Hog wire.
The association also obtained 80 bags of Hybrid Palay seeds, 80 bags of Inbred Palay seeds, 80 bags of Hybrid Corn seeds, 219 bags of Urea Fertilizer, 121 bags of Complete Fertilizer, 122 packs of Foliar Fertilizer, 702 Coffee Robusta seedlings, and 250 of each Grafted Jackfruit, Grafted Lanzones, Grafted Rambutan, Grafted Durian, Grafted Marang, and Grafted Calamansi.
Similarly, the Salam Laguitan Agriculture Cooperative (SLAC), on July 31, received 2 units of Hand Tractors, 1 unit of Rice Reaper, 1 unit of Rice Combine Harvester, 1 unit of Corn Combine Harvester, 1 unit of Rice Thresher, 2 units of Rice Transplanter, 1 unit of Corn Mill, 1 unit of Refrigerated Van, and 1 unit of Dropside Truck.
Additionally, the SLAC coop obtained agri-inputs, including 110 bags of Inbred Palay Seeds, 143 bags of Hybrid Corn seeds, 385 bags of Urea Fertilizer, 160 bags of Complete Fertilizer, 160 packs of Foliar Fertilizer, 5 rolls of Hog Wire, 5 rolls of Barbed Wire, and 5 units of Knapsack Sprayer.
Alladin Badio, the coop’s chairman, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Bangsamoro Government and MAFAR-Special Development Fund (SDF) for providing agricultural inputs and farm machinery that would aid them in maintaining their livelihoods as former combatants turned farmers.
“This assistance will ease the burden of farming and enable us to achieve higher yields and improve the quality of our products,” Badio remarked.
He also added that utilizing modern farm machinery will expedite the farmers’ work, allowing them to fully utilize the aid provided by the Bangsamoro Government.
The provision of various fruit seedlings enables farmers to diversify their crops and cultivate different types of fruits in their farmlands.
Furthermore, supplying high-quality agricultural inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides ensures that crops receive essential nutrients and protection from pests and diseases, ultimately leading to increased yields and production.
These initiatives are aligned with the 12-Point Priority Agenda of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, focusing on promoting socio-economic development and enhancing production in the agri-fishery sector. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO with reports from MAFAR)
