PhilRice, MAFAR-BARMM Sign MOA for Rice Farmers Beneficiaries

COTABATO CITY | April 12, 2021

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM), held at MAFAR Conference, BGC, Cotabato City, Monday, April 12, 2021.

A total of 67,400 bags (20 kg/bag) of Certified seeds amounting to Php 51, 224, 000.00 was delivered by PhilRice under the Seed Program of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

The MOA, which is intended to ensure certified seeds of recommended rice varieties will be distributed to eligible rice farmer-beneficiaries, was signed by Sailila E. Abdula, PhilRice Branch Director, Midsayap, MAFAR Minister Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D., Engr. Ismail A. Guiamel, Director II for Agriculture Services and Julie O. Maliga, RN, MPASR, Director for Admin and Finance Services.

MAFAR Minister said, “I thank Secretary William Dar for supporting the BARMM. We expect our farmers will increase their productivity especially on rice Farming.”

It aims to provide certified seeds for planting by the rice farmers in 2021 wet season cropping in Maguindanao, Lanao, and Special Geographic Area of Bangsamoro the 63 Barangays in North Cotabato.