FARMERS IN THREE TOWNS APPEASED AFTER RECEIVING RICE SEEDS FROM MAFAR
After years of waiting, farmers in the remote barangays of three municipalities in Maguindanao have finally received bags of quality rice seeds from the government, this time, through the MAFAR.
One thousand (1,000) bags of Certified Rice Seeds worth Php1.5Million were distributed to them by the ministry through its Rice Program on May 26, 2020 held in Barangay Bagong, Shariff Aguak Maguindanao.
Of the total bags, each farmer was allocated 2-3 bags of rice seeds with the varieties NSIC Rc222 and NSIC Rc440. Each bag weighs 40 kilograms funded under the 2019 budget from the Department of Agriculture.
The MAFAR officials have been providing essential services and assistance directly to the communities in support to the advocacy of the BARMM of bringing the government closer to the people and upholding moral governance.
Among the key persons from the MAFAR who facilitated and actively participated in the activity were Engr. Ismail A. Guiamel, Assistant to the Minister for Operations, Tong A. Abas, Regional Rice Program Focal Person, Abdulnasseef S. Ulong, BARMMIARC Center Manager, Abdulnasser K. Badawi, Maguindanao Provincial Agricultural Officer, and Salembai A. Abdullah, Information, Communication, and Training Officer.
Engr. Guiamel, who represented Minister Mohammad S. Yacob, advised the farmer-beneficiaries to sustain the productivity of the farm inputs they received. He then recognized the importance of the task of every individual in attaining the success of the project. He also mentioned that being committed is one of the best strategies in achieving the goal of food security.
In addition, PAO Badawi explained that the BARMM government promotes transparency in delivering the services needed by the farmers. He also reminded the farmers to invest proper care thereby valuing the project.
Focal Person Abas said, the on time distribution of the assistance aimed at ensuring that the farmers are planting timely or within the schedule to attain higher production.
The farmer beneficiaries came from barangays Pikeg, Pamalian and Malingaw of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Iganagampong and Meta of Datu Unsay, and Bagong of Shariff Aguak, all in Maguindanao.
On behalf of his co-farmer beneficiaries, Farmer Leader Ali Dikay of Barangay Pikeg, extended his gratefulness for the aid they have received. He said the assistance will give inspiration to them to strive more in their farming endeavor. He also expressed his gratitude to the officials as he and his co-farmers received intervention for the first time after a couple of years.