New agricultural facilities to boost Lanao del Sur Agriculture

DAVAO CITY — New agricultural facilities are being established in Lanao by the Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) to enhance the local farming economy.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held to kick off various infrastructure projects aimed at increasing farming productivity in the region. On October 17, 2024, significant projects funded by MAFAR’s Special Development Fund were inaugurated in several municipalities.

In Balindong, a cattle shed will be constructed for the Balindong Cormatan Produce Cooperative, and a goat shed is planned for Barangay Budas, Balabagan.

These facilities will improve animal husbandry practices by providing secure housing for livestock, thereby supporting the production of high-quality meat and dairy products.

The chairman of the Balindong Cooperative, Camar Magandia, expressed his appreciation for the project’s potential to enhance their agricultural operations substantially, stating, “This project will surely help enhance our agricultural operation.”

In Marantao, a seed storage facility worth P5.9 million will be built in Barangay Inudaran Campong, funded under the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB) 2023, with an expected completion date by March 2025.

Chief Agriculturist Engr. Abdulgaphar Sansarona highlighted that the storage facility will allow corn farmers to properly store their harvests, maintaining seed quality for future planting seasons. Engr. Sansarona emphasized, Marantao has extensive cornfields.

This new facility will significantly improve corn production in the area, especially for farmers who depend on it as their primary source of livelihood.

This project is part of the Department of Agriculture’s corn program.” Local officials, including MAFAR’s Provincial Director Atty. Khalid D. Ansano and community leaders, expressed strong support for these projects, emphasizing their positive impact on agricultural development in the province.

Contractors reassured the public of delivering high-quality facilities. These initiatives directly benefit local farmers by ensuring a stable food supply and higher-quality produce. Strengthening the agricultural sector is crucial in addressing hunger and poverty in the region, contributing to long-term economic growth and food security in BARMM.