DA reaffirms its support for the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace during the Adlai Ceremonial Harvest and turnover of
10 NHA-built housing units and P4.8 -M worth of financial assistance to 20 FRs at 403rd Infantry Brigade, Camp Osito Bahian in
Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on December 8, 2020.
MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – As a support agency to the implementation of Executive Order 70, an order calling for a whole-of-nation approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) advocates adlay farming as potential livelihood projects for former rebels (FRs).
The DA reaffirms its support of the government’s pursuit of inclusive and sustainable peace during the Adlai Ceremonial Harvest and turnover of 10 NHA-built housing units and P4.8 million worth of financial assistance to 20 FRs at 403rd Infantry Brigade, Camp Osito Bahian in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on December 8, 2020.
“DA will back up the government’s support to people who have returned to the calls of the law. All of us are working together in a whole-of-nation approach,” DA Undersecretary for Regulations, Engr. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan said.
“It is a good thing that our FRs are safe, and now will stand for the same ideology to fight for our people, but this time in a productive way,” he added.
Ampatuan commends the Philippine Army’s effort in hosting the FRs and engaging them in adlay production and processing – a highly viable livelihood program, as the DA will be pushing adlay production in the ensuing years.
“Adlai will be a big thing. This will make the Philippine famous. No other Asian Countries produce adlay in massive scale,” he accounted.
Adlai is a tropical plant bearing tear-shaped grains slightly bigger than that of corn and rice. It is popularly used in diet owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.
It is also good for diabetes since it has low glycemic index and rich in fiber, making it in demand to consumers who’s into healthy food.
Due to growing demand, recently, adlay has been commercially produced as healthier alternative for rice and corn.
“The DA has set aside seed fund to promote adlay production. The agribusiness service of DA will be allocating P10 million to fund adlay research and support some enterprises that are developing adlay products,” Ampatuan disclosed.
DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga revealed, currently the DA RFO-10’s Research Division has produced various value-added adlay products such as adlay wine, cookies and cereal.
The division also developed adlay processing and packaging technologies that can be benchmarked by interested agripreneurs in the region.
In his message, the DA executive also assured the FRs of the agency’s support for their vegetable production project.
“We in the government embrace you back. You are our balikbayans. The President emphasized this will end. There will be no more rebels as people will open up their minds. We do not need war within and among us,” he said.
“I congratulate you as you renew your vow back to this peaceful society,” Ampatuan concluded. #(ATalib)