COTABATO CITY — Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) turned over Wednesday, April 13, six (6) units of motorcycles to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) in a ceremony held here at MAFAR Covered Court, Bangsamoro Government Center.
The motorcycles are part of the second batch of the Rice-Based Farming Technology Transfer sub-program of the JICA – Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro (CDPB). It will be used by Officer-In-Charge MAFAR Municipal Officers (MMO) and Agricultural Technologists (AT) from the municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Guindulungan, and Datu Hoffer in Maguindanao.
JICA-CDPB Chief Adviser Hirofumi Hoshi emphasized that the CDPB considers both improving farmers’ livelihood through cultivation of upland rice and enhancing public services provided to the farmers.
Hoshi said the provision of motorcycles to the MAFAR field personnel are beneficial for them in securing better services to the farmers.
“I would like to request MAFAR (to keep) these motorcycles in good conditions and provide necessary cost of operation and maintenance as stipulated in the signed agreement of CDPC-JICA and MAFAR,” he added.
On the other hand, MAFAR Minister Dr. Mohammad Yacob said the motorcycles are crucial in monitoring and supervising activities of MMO and AT, particularly on upland rice productions.
“Our intention is to support the economy of our communities through increasing their upland rice production and to maintain the transfer of skills and technology in these remote communities, our field personnel need to reach them via motorcycles ride,” Yacob said.
“Although we have certain challenges on mobilization like gasoline, I am urging the recipients to take care of these units, use it properly and utilize it according to its purpose,” he added.
Chief of Operation for Agriculture Services Tong Abas mentioned that CDPB will continue to implement the third batch of the Rice-Based Farming Technology Transfer to other BARMM provinces. (Kasan M. Usop, Jr./BIO)
