MAFAR-MAGUINDANAO CONFERS WITH GOV. MANGUDADATU TO GEAR UP FOR MAFARLENGKE
The provincial government of Maguindanao, through Hon. Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, has committed to fully support the implementation of the MAFAR Local Exchange and Network of Goods in any Kind of Emergency (MAFARLENGKE) after the productive inception meeting with the officials of MAFAR Maguindanao and regional office on May 20, 2020.
MAFARLENGKE was conceptualized by the ministry amid the crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic where the region has been put on a public health emergency that has made major movements restricted with the strict execution of the community quarantine.
This project aims to provide easy access to fresh and reasonably priced agriculture and fishery products for consumers and benefit the rural farmers by facilitating means for them to market their produce despite their difficulty in movement.
“This is one way of making food available, accessible and affordable through coordination and collaboration with individual farmers and fishers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, and related organizations”, said AMAD Chief Datu Hamsur J. Zaid.
Meanwhile, Minister Mohammad S. Yacob emphasized that this initiative has been designed to ensure availability and ease in the access of fresh farm and fishery products for the consumers and to reduce the transport cost of the farmers’ produce by facilitating logistical support thereby securing income for them.
The selection of farmer-suppliers is anchored on the marketable volume of their commodities, and willingness to supply and handle the selling of quality products at lower prices at the MAFARLENGKE. They shall also be required to keep record of their daily proceeds that include volumes sold, gross income, capital, operating costs and profits for purposes of monitoring and assessment of progress of operations.
Through the meeting, the proposed drop-off points in the province have been identified that include the municipalities of Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Shariff Aguak, Buluan, Parang, Upi, Datu Piang, Sultan Kudarat and Pagalungan.
Spearheaded by MAFAR-Maguindanao Operations Officer Dr Ronjamin M. Maulana, the meeting was also attended by Chief Zaid, Provincial Administrator Mohajeran K. Balayman, Provincial Agriculturist (PA) Mosibicak L. Guiabel, Assistant PA Dr Minambay Salim, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Baiking Balinte, and Agricultural Technologist Salama A. Kadon.
MAFARLENGKE is a project under the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) and it is in conformity with DA Secretary William D. Dar’s KAtuwang sa DIwa at GaWA para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita (KADIWA ni Ani at Kita) on Wheels. It is a project conceptualized and initiated in response to difficulties arising in these trying times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.