THE MAFAR FEASTS WITH THE FARMERS AS THEY REAP MORE WITH HYBRID RICE
In full force, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) led and facilitated the Harvest Festival in the 150-ha Model Farm on Community-Based Hybrid Rice Production in Barangay Sapalan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on June 28, 2020.
During the program, Minister Mohammad S. Yacob sincerely recognized the farmers as champions and heroes who ensure food sufficiency. He said without them, the Bangsamoro will have no food to eat and with this, they should be valued and respected.
The MAFAR chief further said in in interview by the Bureau of Public Information (BPI)-BARMM that the harvest festival was one way of upholding the advocacy of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, Al-Hadj of bringing the government closer to the communities. “We have regularly monitored the activities of the farmers from planting to every process up to harvesting”, added Minister Yacob.
The grand activity was actively participated by almost 500 farmers from the different municipalities in Maguindanao guided by their municipal agricultural officers and agricultural technologists who have learned more with the showcased technologies, field operations, and open forum.
From the usual average yield of 40 bags per hectare with inbred rice, their expected production with the hybrid rice is 115-120 bags per hectare according to Farmer Cooperator Alex B. Ebrahim, who has also served as Local Farmer Technician.
Meanwhile, Tong A. Abas, MAFAR Regional Rice and Seed Focal Person, presented that based on the crop cut result, the average yield of the NSIC Rc204H (Mestizo 20), planted March, this year in the demo farm, will reach 7.48 tons per hectare that is a lot higher than the national average yield in rice of 3.28 tons per hectare.
The Local Government Unit rejoiced with the great accomplishment of the farmers in the area. Hon. Mayor Cheryl Mary Rose Ann F. Lu-Sinsuat thanked the MAFAR for the valuable assistance and said they will also continue to give their support to increase the farmers’ productivity.
The harvest festival was also attended by local officials from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), Agriculture and Fishery Council (AFC), Pambansang Mannalon, Maguuma, Magbabaul, Magsasaka ng Pilipinas (P4MP), and International Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).