Agri-10 supports former MILF commander-turned-farmer with market logistics, linkage for Sibujing harvest

 

TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), through its Provincial Operations Center in Lanao del Norte, facilitated the provision of logistics and market linkage support to former MILF commander-turned-farmer Abdullah Makapaar, also known as Commander Bravo, giving a boost to his livelihood and agricultural productivity.

Commander Bravo cultivates a two-hectare Sibujing (Sakurab) farm in Munai, Lanao del Norte, and recently benefited from the agency’s assistance, with Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan at the helm of the initiative, which is focused on bringing farmers’ produce with more efficiency and reaching wider markets.

The support included the transport of Makapaar’s produce using a DA-provided vehicle and the establishment of market connections through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program.

As initial harvest from his farm, some 300 kilos of Sibujing were sold to patrons from different areas, including the cities of Iligan and Pagadian, and the towns of Kauswagan and Linamon, at PhP40 per kilo, with a portion of the harvest processed into palapa, a popular Maranao condiment.

Said undertaking is part of the DA-RFO 10’s broader efforts to improve logistics efficiency and enhance farmers’ access to markets in order to minimize transport costs, maintain the quality of harvest, and ultimately increase profits.

Engr. Abdulharis P. Paporo, who heads the provincial operations center in Lanao Norte, emphasized the importance of ensuring stable markets for agricultural producers.

“This kind of initiative encourages farmers to continue planting, knowing there is a market for their produce.” the DA-10 official remarked.

Beyond marketing assistance, the provincial chief reported that the DA-10 has also provided 30 plastic crates and assorted vegetable seeds to further support his farming venture.

The activity, completed last July 2, aligns with President Marcos’s agenda to make agriculture a profitable enterprise, ensure food security, and strengthen local agri-based economies.

Further, the said effort was done in partnership with the City Agriculture’s Office of Iligan, which supported the promotion and sale of Sibujing at their office grounds in Brgy. Tambo.# (JLO/Photos supplied)