2nd MinDA vegetable derby staged in former battlefields The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will stage the second Mindanao Vegetable Derby, a season-long technology transfer and production competition activity, in the former battlefields of the Bangsamoro Region between the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. The activity will start July and end early December in time for the harvest of the vegetables where outstanding farmers will be chosen and given awards. It will be participated in by former combatants and farmers who will be introduced to modern technology in vegetable production by their corporate partners, including the use of high-yielding seeds and irrigation technology. The areas for the staging of the derby which I have recommended to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) will be in the towns of Parang, Matanog, Buldon and Barira where the former main camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Camp Abubakar, is
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located. I have tasked MinDA Assistant Secretary Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar, Director Joey Recimilla and the Area Management Officer for Central Mindanao Jun Buhat to lead the MInDA team which will coordinate with the BARMM-MAFAR to finalize the program. During the season-long activity, MinDA and its technical team will conduct geo-mapping to identify areas suitable for highland vegetable production. Participating farmers will be identified along with the corporate partners, including known companies like
Harbest Philippines, Kaneko Seeds, Seedworks, East West, Allied Botanicals and many others. Together, the farmers and their corporate partners will develop model farms whose produce will be submitted in a competition which would determine the best quality and the highest production volume. As in the 1st Mindanao Vegetable Derby held in Talakag, Bukidnon last year, farmer winners and their corporate partners will be recognized and awarded. Buyers and Off-takers will also be engaged during the season-long activity.
June 5-11, 2021 |
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