Seed Production Area in Datu Unsay,Maguindanao BARMM

MAFAR EMPOWERS SEEDGROWERS THROUGH PROVISION OF QUALITY RICE SEEDS

The assistance of MAFAR did not stop at updating the knowledge and skills of the existing and potential rice seedgrowers in Maguindanao but instead continues through supplying them with quality farm inputs.

The delivery and distribution of Registered Rice Seeds coupled with fertilizers and pesticides was done by the ministry in three municipalities of Maguindanao with the cooperation of the municipal agricultural officers (MAOs) and the local farmer technicians (LFTs).

According to Tong A. Abas, Regional Rice Program Focal Person, 138 bags of quality rice seeds along with 276 bags of urea, 138 bags of complete fertilizer, and 138 one-liter bottles of insecticide were given to the farmer-seedgrowers who are members of the Al-Rahman Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative in Manungkaling, Mamasapano with the help of MAO Dr Modrika A. Masukat and LFT Rahib Mamaluba.

Abas said the Registered rice seeds, with green tags were of NSIC Rc222 and NSIC Rc440 varieties procured from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

From Mamasapano, the team from MAFAR proceeded to Iganagampong, Datu Unsay for the delivery of 25 bags of Registered rice seeds of the same varieties with 50 bags of urea, 25 bags of compete fertilizer, and 25 bottles of insecticide to the farmer members of the Bangsamoro Agrilink Marketing Cooperative led by Abusama L. Ali.

Guided and assisted by MAO Nanding D. Sayutin, the group then went to Guindulungan for the provision of 60 bags of Registered rice seeds of the same varieties with 120 bags of urea, 60 bags of compete fertilizer, and 60 bottles of insecticide to the seedgrowers and members of the Talapusao Farmers Marketing Cooperative led by Duri B. Kasim.

The proposed farm site in Barangay Katibpuan, Talayan, for the establishment of 50-hectare inbred rice model farm was also validated by the team with the help of drone technology that was also used in the validation of the farm areas for seed production in Mamasapano and Datu Unsay.

In a Friday meeting, Minister Mohammad S. Yacob ordered the regular and continual monitoring of the progress of the interventions extended to the communities aimed at ensuring proper implementation among the farmer beneficiaries for them to attain increased production and income.