FAO supports conflict-affected farmers in Mindanao with agric inputs under New Zealand-funded initiative
The distribution of agricultural inputs is part of activities under the project 'Support to Agri-based Livelihoods and Agribusiness Enterprises for Sustainable Peace and Development in Maguindanao and Cotabato' funded by the Government of New Zealand.
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FAO distributed a more than 1000 bags of fertilizer, comp[rise of 336 bags of urea and 672 bags of complete fertilizer, to rice, corn and cardava banana beneficiary-farmers of Pikit, Cotabato under the project "Support to Agri-based Livelihoods and Agribusiness Enterprises for Sustainable Peace and Development in Maguindanao and Cotabato." The activity, conducted on 30 July, is part of the project's intervention of distribution of agricultural inputs to conflict-affected farming families in the Bangsamoro Region of Mindanao.
The project is funded by the Government of New Zealand.
In the municipality of Pikit, FAO distributed agricultural inputs to the following groups:
- Sitio Quarry Free Farmers Association(SQFFA) of Barangay, Balatican. A total of 65 bags urea and 130 bags complete fertilizers;
- Dalingaoen Farmers Irrigators Association of Pikit (DALFIA), 40 bags urea 80 bags complete fertilizers;
- Kadingilan Pandita Irrigated Farmers Multi-Purpose Association(KPIFMPA), 40 bags urea and 80 bags complete fertilizers;
- Fort Pikit Farmers Association (FPFA) 40 bags urea and 80 bags complete fertilizers;
- Decommissioned Combatants from105th Eastern Front Command of Barangay Nalapaan, Pikit and Barangay Pagangan, Aleosan received 21 bags urea and 42 bags complete fertilizers;
- Bangsamoro Islamic Women's Auxiliary Brigade (BIWAB),Charlie Company, Pikit, were provided with 50 bags urea and 100 bags complete fertilizers;
- Decommissioned Combatants from Eastern Front Command, Camp Rajah Muda, Pikit received a total 60 bags urea fertilizers and 120 bags complete fertilizers; and
- Bangsamoro Islamic Women's Auxiliary Brigade (BIWAB), 108th Base BN HEALTH and DENTAL, Eastern Front Command, Camp Rajah Muda, Pikit also received 20 bags urea and 40 bags complete fertilizers.
Present during the distribution of fertilizers were Mr. Gaphor Suliek, OIC Municipal Agriculturist, Roland Manapen, Anisa G. Baluno and Susan Rodriguez Uy, Agricultural Technologists from Pikit.
According to Nafesha Noh, Secretary of Charlie Company of the BIWAB Eastern Front Command, farmer-recipients are composed of men and women, who, aside from being wives, caregivers and home makers, are also farmers. They are engaged in rice, corn, banana and other farm plants cultivation who provide us of our staple source of energy especially during this pandemic.