MAFAR, NSQCS-BARMM TRAIN FARMERS TO BECOME SEEDGROWERS
Seventy farmers shall be added to the list of rice seedgrowers in the Province of Maguindanao after completing the five-day Basic Training Course on Inbred Rice Seed Production Management Practices and Seed Certification for Seedgrowers, conducted by the MAFAR in collaboration with the National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS)-BARMM held at the Pagana Native Restaurant, Cotabato City on January 27-31, 2020.
The training was particularly conducted using funds from the rice program of the Department of Agriculture under the facilitation of MAFAR-BARMM Rice Program Focal Person Tong A. Abas, in partnership with NSQCS-BARMM Chief Omara M. Kempa.
According to Abas, the training was highlighted by careful presentation of significant topics such as Status of Rice Seed Production in BARMM and Updates on the 2019 National Rice Program, Morphology of Rice Plant, which he both shared, Seed and Variety Selection and Updates on Newly-Released NSIC Varieties from Chief Kempa, Land Preparation and Crop Establishment, Water Management Strategies, explained by Arnelio Pasaporte, Integrated Nutrient Management using Rice Crop Manager presented by Researcher Baharen A. Piang, Integrated Insect Pests and Diseases Management Strategies given by Piang and BARMMIARC Center Manager Abdulnasseef S. Ulong, Harvest and Postharvest Management explained by Nasrulah K. Dilangalen, Seed Certification Policies and Guidelines, Mechanics and Principles of Seed Certification, Seed Health Testing, Seed Testing and Laboratory Standards, and Procedures on Proper Seed Storage, all imparted by Chief Kempa.
Meanwhile, the lectures on Personal Values Clarification, Applying Islamic Values in Moral Governance, and Basic Understanding on Moral Governance, explained by Emran G. Mohamad, enlightened the participants on the importance of Islamic values in ensuring success in every endeavor.
Abas further said that there were also Practicum on Seed Testing and Laboratory Standards, hands-on activities, field work and visitation held in the town of Ampatuan in Maguindanao facilitated by the staff of NSQCS-BARMM.
MAFAR Minister Dr Mohammad S. Yacob advised the farmers to help and support each other and share what they learned from the training to their co-farmers. He said the training aimed to enable the Bangsamoro to attain ‘self-reliance’ in terms of rice seed production wherein the farmer-seedgrowers themselves produce and supply quality seeds for the farmers and get away from the need to procure or buy from other places.
Each of the participants received a certificate of training during the closing ceremony that was attended by MAFAR Director for Administration and Finance Services Sittie Anida Tomawis-Limbona, Convergence Focal Person and Security Head Engr. Ismail A. Guiamel, Maguindanao Team Leader Dr Ronjamin M. Maulana, and the training management team.
Farmer-graduates Mando Malasigan of Ampatuan and Alexander Sumagka of North Cotabato expressed their deep gratitude to the MAFAR through their impressions. Malasigan emphasized that their success is also the success of the MAFAR and the whole Bangsamoro. Rahib Mamaluba of Mamasapano, Sumagka of North Cotabato, Amerson Omar Ebrahim of Datu Odin Sinsuat topped the pretest, posttest, and knowledge increment, respectively. Three of them received their awards for their achievements, awarded by the officials from MAFAR and NSQCS-BAR