MARAWI CITY: To improve the farm productivity in this city, seven (7) farmer cooperatives received one farm tractor each from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR BARMM) Lanao del Sur, City Government of Marawi and Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM).
The cooperatives which received the said assistance are from barangays Sagonsongan, Mipaga, Dulay Proper, Guimba, Timbangalan, East Basak Malutlut and Sugod.
MAFAR-BARMM’s deputy minister and focal person for Bangon Marawi program, Ammal D. Solaiman explained that the project was turned over to them by the Department of Agriculture Region 10.
Solaiman also shared that they strived to fast track the distribution of the farm mechanization to the farmers. She also underscored the importance of agriculture in times of crisis in coronavirus disease (COVID 19).
“Paiigtingin ang monitoring nito, para ma-assure na magamit in the right way at makabenefit lahat,” said Solaiman.
[We will strengthen the monitoring for this project to ensure that this will be utilized in the right way and that the people will benefit from it.]
Pangalian A. Balindong Jr., the designated provincial head of MAFAR Lanao del Sur, also shared that their agency started distributing seeds to the residents to promote backyard gardening.
“Nagbibigay kami ng vegetable seeds para mapromote ang backyard gardening at hindi umasa sa relief goods,” said Balindong.
[We have started giving out of vegetable seeds to promote backyard gardening so that they will not wait for relief goods.]
Meanwhile, Palawan Tuminaman, chairman of Guimba Farmers Cooperative expressed his appreciation for the convergence of agencies who helped them avail of the farm tractor.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga nagtulung-tulongan na makakuha kami ng traktor. Lahat ng farmers ay natutuwa na makita ang tulong ng gobyerno sa amin,” said Tuminaman.
[We express our gratitude to all those who helped us to get a tractor. All farmers are happy to see the assistance given by the government.]
TFBM Field Office Manager Asec. Felix Castro Jr. also said that the Task Force together with the Marawi City government and BARMM will continue to provide assistance to the affected residents of the siege.
The farm mechanization support was given under the Bangon Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program using National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.
Lou Ellen L. Antonio/ PIA ICIC/RSP
The Ranao Star 