COTABATO CITY—The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) organized a ‘hybrid rice derby’ harvest festival at 10-hectare rice field of Barangay Manungkaling in Mamasapano, Maguindanao held on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022.
The hybrid rice festival sought to identify and present initial data about the assessment result of various rice seedlings which are ideal to be used in the said barangay.
On Nov. 23, 2021, the ministry along with local farmers in said barangay planted different varieties of rice seedlings from participating companies.
MAFAR Minister Mohammad S. Yacob graced the event along with National Irrigation Administration (NIA), PhilRice, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), farmers, stakeholders and private companies.
“The ministry collaborated with private companies in the conduct of hybrid rice herby harvest festival to further boost agricultural production in the region,” said Minister Yacob.
“We’re going to showcase more projects for our farmers such us the use of organic fertilizer. Also, we plan to create water irrigation system in the region,” Yacob added.
Rahib W. Mamalub, a farmer cooperator, said: “Before, we have minimal harvest and now through this program our yield of rice almost increased by 10 metric tons.”
“We received various seedling and equipment from the BARMM and private sectors. We’re hoping that they will continue to give us high quality materials in farming,” Mamalub added.
Meanwhile, MAFAR Chief Agriculturist Tong Abas reiterated that harvest festival is more than just the introduction of new farming techniques and skills development for farmers but also for them to generate more income. (JOHAIRA B. SAHIDALA/BIO)
