COTABATO CITY—The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) received 11,111 bags of hybrid ‘palay’ and fish coral equipment on October 22, during the simultaneous turnover ceremony held at MAFAR Covered Court in Cotabato City.
The 11,111 bags of hybrid palay worth Php55,000,000.00 is coming from the Presidential budget on “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Ahon Lahat, Pagkain Sapat” also known as “Rice Resiliency Program Phase I” course through the Department of Agriculture 12 (DA-12) but solely intended for the BARMM farmers.
The fish coral equipment, which include patrol boat, diving gears, and fish hatchery equipment worth Php 3,500,000.00, are coming from the special project of MAFAR under the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) intended to upgrade, equip, and advance the regional staff on their underwater operation capability in the fishery sectors.
The bags of hybrid palay, according to National Anti Poverty Coordinator (NAPC) Assistant Regional Focal Person Yusoph D. Sabpa, will be distributed to farmers and irrigators association of Maguindanao and Lanao Del Sur provinces through their respective MAFAR Municipal Officers (MMOs).
Meanwhile, MAFAR Fishcoral Coordinator Ms. Sandra Gani explained, “fish coral equipment will be given to MAFAR regional staff aimed to contribute in advancing our initiative to give our fisherfolks a more descent lives”.
MAFAR Minister Mohammad S. Yacob believes that the Government of the day was already on its track in delivering the basic needs of partner Bangsamoro farmers and fisherfolks in the region.
“I am happy, seeing our future farmer that will develop themselves into a more progressive and sustainable farmer, that they could bring their children to school and earn bachelor degrees with their own efforts”, Yacob said.
President of Irrigators Association in Maguindanao, Datu Macky Ampatuan, was thankful with the way the current government is providing programs and services to its farmer constituents in the region.
“I have been in farming for more than 10 years now but it is only just now with the current BARMM government, through the MAFAR, that we felt the continuous and outpouring of assistance for us”, Ampatuan said.
Furthermore, out of 11,111 sacks of hybrid palay received by MAFAR, 8,250 sacks are intended for Maguindanao province, 1,861 sacks for Lanao Del Sur province and 1,000 sacks for the region. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
