THE Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform in the Bangsamoro Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-Barmm) has augmented its hybrid rice distribution to ensure high production and harvest across the region despite the difficulties caused by coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.
Dr. Mohammad Yacob, minister of MAFAR, said they have started the delivery and distribution last week of hybrid rice production inputs to the farmers of Datu Abdullah Sangki in Maguindanao.
Yacob said the move is to ensure that there is sufficient food supply and security in Barmm during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Ministry was able to deliver 150 bags of hybrid rice seeds with NSIC Rc204H (Mestizo 20) variety, 450 bags of complete fertilizer, 300 bags of Urea fertilizer, 150 bottles of pesticides (one liter each), and 150 bottles of herbicides (one liter each).
Yacob added there is still enough food in the entire Barmm as of the moment.
However, he said based on the assessment and calculation, the supply might only last for couple of months if the Covid-19 crisis continue.
He also stressed the importance of backyard gardening, noting “wala tayong source of income kundi ang pagtatanim ng gulay at sa loob ng ilang buwan ay pwede na silang maka-harvest, that’s why we enhance our backyard gardening,”
To support this, he said they will distribute vegetable seeds in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD-Barmm).
He added they also distributed vegetable seeds to the evacuees sheltered in Bakwit Village Phase 1, Matungao, Lanao del Norte and in Bakwit Village Phase 2 in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur on March 31.
Meanwhile, Mafar has implemented food lane accreditation and vehicle pass issuance to ensure that food supply movement in the region will not not be hampered.
This is in accordance with the Memorandum Circulars No. 6 and 7, s. 2020 issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and in support to the strict implementation of the Unimpeded Flow of Cargoes by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The minister said that farmers and fisher folks are among those who are exempted in the community quarantine to ensure movement of food production and distribution. (SunStar Zamboanga)