FARMERS in nine areas in Mindanao will receive about 11,200 kilograms of sorghum seeds donated by a Texas-based seed production company.
Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) reported that sorghum seeds from the seed production company Scott Seeds Company arrived at the Davao Port on February 11.
Minda public relations head Adrian Tamayo said the seeds will be distributed in Davao del Norte, Sarangani, North Cotabato, Taraka in Lanao del Sur, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region on Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), Caraga Region through the Department of Agriculture (DA), Basilan, Bukidnon and Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.
According to Minda's Facebook post, about 4,000 kilograms of the seeds were already given to Tagum City as Davao del Norte provincial governor Edwin Jubahib eyed to rehabilitate 400 hectares of fusarium-wilt infected lands with sorghum.
The distribution of sorghum is part of Minda's sorghum program.
The deed of donation was signed between Piñol and Coby Krieghauser, chief executive officer and owner of the Scott Seed Company, on December 16.
"The introduction of sorghum in Mindanao, a grains crop and very rich in protein, is expected to boost the livestock and poultry sector, including Halal meat and poultry production," Minda secretary Emmanuel Piñol said.
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)-funded Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC), among the uses of sorghum are "food for human consumption, feed grain for livestock and industrial applications such as ethanol production."
The plant is said to be versatile because it can tolerate drought, soil toxicities, a wide range of temperatures and high altitudes.