MAFAR-BASILAN EMPOWERS FUTURE FARMERS THROUGH EDUCATION AND HANDS-ON FARMING ACTIVITIES

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform-Basilan celebrates the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) by educating young leaders on the fascinating process of growing rice.

To experience farming, we allow children to play with soil while learning about nature and where our food comes from.

Every November since 2004, when Proclamation No. 524 was signed, National Rice Awareness Month is observed to heighten awareness of efforts to attain food self-sufficiency and address poverty.

Chief Agriculturist Datu Fadh Jaljalis led the Back-to-back activities were conducted, including the field tour and actual rice planting of elementary students of Al Manarah Islamic School. Aside from the change of scenery in the classroom, the kids enjoyed the outdoors and the actual sowing/transplanting of palay.

MAFAR Agriculturist I Nuriya Fernandez explained the different factors affecting rice production in the country and that the youth should engage in agriculture as the mother of all industries.

The largest rice plantation in Basilan is in Lamitan City, and the kids saw the vast ricefield area at their planting/ land preparatory stage.

After transplanting, the students had a tour of the MAFAR Basilan Office, where they were given a short lecture on farm machinery and parts to include the advantages of having them in the field.