FARMERS IN PAGALUNGAN LEARN HELPFUL TECHNIQUES IN CORN PRODUCTION FROM MAFAR
Thirty-one farmers from 10 barangays in Pagalungan, Maguindanao acquired modern and effective tips in producing corn from planting to harvesting through the ‘Training on Corn Production Technology’ conducted by the MAFAR in Barangay Damalasak on November 17, 2020.
The activity was facilitated by the team from the MAFAR corn sector headed by Akmad A. Abdullah, Corn and Cassava Regional Focal Person in collaboration with Jimson Lumapinit, MAFAR Municipal Officer, Alfatah N. Khalid, MAFC Chairman, and the Barangay and Municipal Local Government Unit of Pagalungan.
Training preliminaries included the warm welcome and motivation given by Hon. Saida Mamasabulod, Damalasak Barangay Chairwoman, and the heartwarming message from Hon. Abdul A. Mamasabulod, Municipal Councilor and Member of the Sangguniang Bayan.
SB Member Mamasabulod recalled the extent of the recent flood that damaged the crops of the farmers in wide areas of the municipality. After calling for assistance from the BARMM government, he encouraged the farmer-participants to listen attentively, understand, and apply every learning they will get from the training so they will reap the benefits in their farming.
Meanwhile, MMO Lumapinit said the conduct of the activity was the immediate response of the MAFAR-Regional Office to his request for capacity enhancement of the farmers in preparation for the upcoming production support from the ministry.
Highlights of the training included the presentation of Focal Person Abdullah of the mandates, vision, mission, functions, and policy statement of MAFAR under the leadership of Minister Dr Mohammad S. Yacob.
Serving as the resource speaker of the training, Abdullah carefully informed the farmers on the status of corn industry in the country and in the BARMM and he taught them on the basic requirements in corn production, development and growth stages of the crop, and recommended technologies in corn production from land preparation; selection of seeds; and water, fertilizer, pest, harvest and postharvest management.
The farmers were motivated and they felt more excited as they participated in time to time Question and Answer portions with corresponding monetary prizes. The approach served as reviewer and reminder for the trainees and was carried out by Salembai A. Abdullah, Information and Training Officer and Engr. Fahmi U. Acob, Corn Program Assistant.
A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was also conducted by the team from MAFAR, through which significant baseline information and data were gathered directly from the farmers that included their usual cultural managements in corn and their pressing need for postharvest facilities.
The activity was also actively participated by Hon. Mohamiden G. Mamasabulod, Municipal Councilor and SB Member and Mentingan A. Lipoles, Camera Man from the Information and Communications Technology (ICTS) of the MAFAR-BARMM.