COTABATO CITY – It will now be easier for farmers in Panglima Mastul village in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi to transport and deliver their agriculture products to the markets with the newly-opened four kilometers farm-to-market road worth Php43.4 million.
According to Minister Mohammad Yacob of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), the road was funded by Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).
Yacob and Ammal Solaiman, deputy project director of the BARMM’s Regional Project Coordination Office, led the turnover ceremony of the road to the local government unit of Simunul on Sept. 26.
“This farm-to-market road is an accomplishment (for) Simunul and it will significantly impact our Bangsamoro farmers,” Yacob said.
According to MAFAR, Simunul is one of the top cassava-producing municipalities in the province of Tawi-Tawi due to its fertile soil, particularly in the barangay where the road project was completed.
Previously, farmers had difficulty in bringing their products to the markets due to rough and muddy roads especially during rainy seasons. This discouraged them from farming as their products end up being perished.
The road project will benefit not only the farmers but also approximately 4,958 individuals or 720 households in the area. (Kasan Usop Jr./BIO)
