MAFAR starts construction of P2.99-M warehouse for rice farmers in Maguindanao

Maguindanao – Rice farmers are set to benefit from a government warehouse project in Maguindanao.

“This is to further usher in development and help the farmers store their palay harvests in the area,” Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Mohammad Yacob, Ph. D, said on Thursday, December 9.

Minister Yacob said the PHP2.99-million warehouse project, equipped with a vast pavement solar drier, will be set up at Barangay Pikeg in Shariff Aguak town that can dry 150-200 bags of palay.

Minister Yacob and other MAFAR-BARMM officials broke ground on the site of the warehouse project upon the request of the Itihad Cooperative in the area that has over 100 rice farmer-members.

“Farmers from Barangay Pikeg of Shariff Aguak, the municipality, and nearby villages from other nearby towns may use the facility for safe storing and efficient drying of their produced agri-products,” he said.

Their area is wide, which is why the ministry chose them as the beneficiary of the project. They centered the facility where the paddy field is extensive.

Yacob said the project is expected to be fully completed by June next year, and it also has a training facility that can accommodate 40 people.

“The farmers really need this project as it stores at least 1,000 bags of their harvested palay products. Despite their vast area, they do not have such a large warehouse,” he added.

Minister Yacob said the MAFAR Engineering Division would be closely monitoring the construction of the facility.