In line with the celebration of Bangsamoro Farmers and Fisherfolks Week, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) conducted a series of distribution of farm machinery and agri-fishery inputs for the farmers and fisherfolks cooperatives from Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao Del Norte on July 16-18, 2024.
Through the MAFAR Special Development Fund (SDF) unified assistance for development, two farmers’ cooperatives namely: United MNLF Farmers Marketing Cooperative of Barangay Baital, Rajah Buayan received one (1) unit of farm tractor (50hp), and the Kurintem KFC Farmers Producers Cooperative of Barangay Kurintem, Datu Odin Sinsuat received one (1) unit of Farm Tractor 90hp and two (2) units of Farm Tractor (50hp).
To support goat farming, MAFAR distributed 170 goats among three cooperatives: 50 goats to the Al-Waherana Farmers Marketing Cooperative in Barangay Dapantis, Rajah Buayan; 60 goats to the Al-Elmonorong Livelihood Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Barangay Pidsandawan, Rajah Buayan; and 60 goats to the TED Farmers and Fisherfolks Producers Cooperative in Barangay Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat.
Under the sustainable fish production project, MAFAR-SDF turned over 3,000 Tilapia fingerlings, 3,000 Hito fingerlings, and 358 fish feeds to the Mamo Matiman Farmers Association in Barangay Tabungao, Rajah Buayan, and the Camp Camusa Farmers Marketing Cooperative in Barangay Darampua, Sultan Sa Barongis.
Additionally, various fisheries post-harvest equipment was distributed, including 125 units of fish crates, 34 units of tabletop with weighing scales, 60 units of mechanical hanging scales, 12 units of fish stall with weighing scales, and one (1) unit of water pump with a generator for the five coops including Al-Ittihad Farmers and Fisherfolks Marketing Cooperative, Linantangan Marketing and Fisherfolk Cooperative of Maguindanao del Sur, and the Tatas Bagong Silang Fishermen and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Kudungan sa Inon Pangakat Agri-Fish Marketing Cooperative and HUD Agriculture Cooperative of Maguindanao del Norte.
The series of distributions were led by MAFAR-SDF Program Officer Roslainie A. Mamalaguia. In her message, she encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize and enhance the support they received from the Bangsamoro Government.
“This initiative demonstrates the commitment of the Bangsamoro Government, led by Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, Alhaj, to continuously improve the livelihood and welfare of the Bangsamoro people. With these tractors and livelihood assistance, we hope to make your farming and livelihood more efficient,” said Mamalaguia.
Esmail S. Ukom, chairman of the Unified MNLF Farmers Marketing Cooperative, expressed gratitude for the support from the Bangsamoro Government. They also promised to take care of the livelihood assistance they received to help boost the economy of the Bangsamoro Region.
