THE Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (Mafar) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) has launched last week the Regional Fisheries Research Center (RFRC) Pagasinan village, Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi.

Dr. Mohammad Yacob, Mafar minister, said the research center is composed of a seaweeds and fish health laboratory, a hatchery for finfish and abalone, a training center and a dormitory.

Yacob said the facility will help address and resolve issues and concerns associated with fisheries production.

He said it will also provide new technologies to boost the volume and value of fishery products including other aquatic resources not only in Tawi-Tawi but in the entire Barmm.

Different agricultural inputs and types of machinery were also distributed by Mafar to various farmer-beneficiaries in the province, according to Yacob.

He said these include hand tractor with trailer, cassava chipper, shredder, coffee hauler, incubator, pelletizing machine, pump irrigation open source, power sprayer, rice seeds, fertilizers and insecticides. (SunStar Zamboanga)