MAFAR EXPANDS FARMERS’ KNOW-HOW IN TALITAY ON CORN PRODUCTION

Farmer Datukan Pasandalan was overwhelmed with gratitude as he completed the ‘Training on Corn Production Technology’ conducted by the MAFAR in Barangay Gadungan, Talitay, Maguindanao on November 30, 2020.

He was one of the 37 farmers in the village who were trained on varied technologies and strategies in corn production from the significant factors to consider up to pest and disease management and harvesting.

The activity was conducted by Akmad A. Abdullah, MAFAR Regional Corn and Cassava Focal Person, in response to the request for technical enhancement among the farmers by Sham U. Abas, MAFAR Municipal Officer (MMO) in Talitay.

MMO Abas said the farmer-trainees were also recipients of hybrid corn seeds from the ministry through its provincial office in Maguindanao.

“We are here to complement your existing knowledge and skills in producing corn; we will share what we know that will benefit you by increasing your gains”, said Abdullah.

He then encouraged the farmers to form themselves into organized group or cooperative in order for them to be unified and have a legal identity that they will later enhance and maintain.
This way, according to Abdullah, they can avail of more and bigger assistance and support from the ministry with their established and growing organization and this forms part of the directives of Minister Dr Mohammad S. Yacob.

The interested farmers were motivated by the review method employed by the training management team, whereby the first one to answer every question correctly, received monetary prize as facilitated by Salembai A. Abdullah, MAFAR Regional Training and Information Officer.

Proper nutrient, pest, and water management was identified by the farmers as the most important learning they gained from the training.

The training activity was well supported by Kamid M. Laugan, Municipal Administrator, Hon. Sambuto S. Kasan, Barangay Captain, and Hon. Monera Abdulrahman, Barangay Councilor.