MAFAR SPEARHEADS THE FIRST EVER RAFC SECTORAL CONSULTATION ON RICE COMMODITY

With the end goal of strengthening the rice-based livelihoods of the communities in the BARMM, the MAFAR has led the conduct of the first ever Sectoral Consultation on Rice Commodity through the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC) today, August 18, 2020 at the MAFAR Conference Hall.

Steered by Minister Dr Mohammad S. Yacob, the activity was personally attended by RAFC Chairperson Abdulrahman D. Macabangon, RAFC Sector Chair on Food Staples Dr Salik B. Panalunsong, Al-Hadj, MAFAR-Maguindanao Provincial Head Abdulnasser K. Badawi, MAFC Coordinator for Lanao del Sur, Municipal AFC Chairmen for Rice Sector from the Province of Maguindanao, and some rice farmers.

Highlights of the meeting included the presentation and discussion of the Rice Resiliency Project with emphasis on the Ahon Lahat Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Program by BARMMIARC Research Associate Baharen Piang, and the Agriculture Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) and Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program (SureAide) by Focal Person Engr. Noraine Dumasil.

RAFC Coordinator Datu Hamsur J. Zaid said the AFC partners were determined to strengthen their collaboration with the local government units (LGUs) to ensure more sustainable implementation of agriculture and fisheries programs and projects in the communities.

Minister Yacob opened the program with his motivational remarks of advancing the private-public partnership that is between the farmers and the ministry for the attainment of agricultural development. He then advised the farmer-leaders to not just focus on the agri-fishery sectors but also to look into the agrarian reform sector that is now under the scope of the ministry.

The provincial heads and AFC Coordinators of the MAFAR in Lanao del Sur and the island provinces also participated in the discussions via Zoom.