In a stride towards enhancing agricultural infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform marked a significant milestone with a simultaneous groundbreaking ceremony for three units of Multi-Purpose Drying Pavements in the Municipalities of Guindulungan, Talitay, and Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.
On January 4, Bangsamoro Director General for Agriculture Services Daud K. Lagasi, Ph.D., led the groundbreaking ceremony alongside the Regional Engineering Division team headed by Engr. Ashnaira A. Abdullah.
Director General Lagasi underscored a major challenge faced by farmers—the lack of dryers, often resulting in makeshift drying on roads. “This MPDP will assist farmers in having sufficient drying space for their produce,” stated DG Lagasi.
Covering an expansive area of 420 square meters, the MPDP can accommodate 80-100 bags of their products.
Director General Lagasi emphasized that this Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement could potentially serve as the foundation for cooperative income generation.
He further urged the beneficiaries to have strong collaboration and active involvement in the seamless implementation of the project to ensure its successful completion and widespread benefits for every farmer in the area.
The Ground Breaking Ceremony drew the participation of key officials, including Asst. to the Province Director for Special Geographic Area (SGA) and Cotabato City Disumimba Rasheed, MAFAR Maguindanao Chief Agriculturist Saudi Mangindra, Science Research Specialist II Guiapar Esmail, Municipal MAFAR Officers, Project Contractor, as well as Municipal and Barangay Officials in the area.
