FARMERS IN PIGCAWAYAN COMPLETE TRAINING BY MAFAR, IMPROVE KNOW-HOW ON VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AND BENEFITS
Fifty farmers from the two barangays in Pigcawayan, that are part of the 63 barangays of the BARMM in North Cotabato, successfully completed the ‘Training on Vegetable Production and its Nutritional Value’ conducted by the MAFAR on December 2-3, 2020.
The activity was spearheaded by the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) sector of the ministry, through the efforts of its key officials including Consultant for Agricultural Concerns Dr. Jalika D. Mangacop, Consultant for Organic Agriculture Albaya S. Sagad and HVCDP Focal Person Ramil M. Timpolok, who also served as resource speakers in the training.
The farmers in Barangays Datu Mantil and Datu Binasing learned new technologies on proper management and some additional information on the benefits of producing vegetables especially for family consumption.
Hon. Salik Haron, Barangay Chairman of Datu Mantil, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the ministry for providing them the training that will surely help them produce vegetables for their consumption and livelihood. For his ten years in public service as Barangay chairman, the training was the first of its kind to benefit the farmers with additional knowledge and skills in vegetable farming.
Hon. Engr. Johan Sinarimbo, Barangay Councilor of Datu Binasing, extended his warmest gratitude to all the officials of the ministry behind the conduct of the training. Councilor Sinarimbo said they are happy because among the 63 barangays, their place was included in the recipients of the training. He also asked for the sustainability of the program through the ministry.
In response, Dr. Mangacop, representing Minister Dr. Mohammad S. Yacob, said that the MAFAR is exerting efforts to continue the effective delivery of its mandates especially in uplifting the living condition of the farmers in the Bangsamoro Region. Dr. Mangacop also reminded every participant to value each assistance because not all the farmers are able to avail the ministry’s programs.
After the series of lectures, all the farmer-participants testified that they learned a lot from the training. They said their knowledge and old ways of farming improved through the training after learning different technologies.
The training ended with the distribution of certificates and packs of assorted vegetable seeds so with the distribution of IEC materials like posters on vegetable production facilitated by the Information and Communications Technology Section (ICTS).
The training was also attended by other MAFAR officials including Consultant for Information and Extension Dr. Kadiguia R. Abdullah, Technical Staff Engr. Johnson Paglala representing Director II for Agricultural Operations Engr. Ismail A. Guiamel, Livestock Focal Person Dr. Bai Zharinah D. Mangindra, and P4MP President Datu Yamashita Mangacop.