Basilan gov’t intensifies rice production program

BASILAN --- The provincial government has expanded its agricultural interventions meant to boost rice production in this island province.

Gov. Jim Salliman said in statement Saturday the provincial government is now providing more comprehensive support to local rice farmers for them to have bumper harvests for every cropping season.

He said one of their goals in expanding the provincial government’s rice sufficiency program is for traders to have enough supply of grains to sell in the markets.

Rice traders in the province procure supplies from outside due to low production by farmers.

Salliman said his office, through provincial agriculturist Hussin Patrimonio, is now expanding its programs intended to maximize rice production in Basilan.

Salliman said the provincial government is providing farmers with farm inputs like fertilizers and seeds and technical assistance from Patriminio and his staff. 

The governor is optimistic the agriculture ministry of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will help his office sustain its rice sufficiency program.

Basilan is one of the five provinces of BARMM that also covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, both in mainland Mindanao, and the islands of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Salliman on Wednesday toured rice fields in Barangay Maloong in Lamitan City, capital of Basilan, to assess the situation of farmers and listen to their recommendations on how to increase their harvests.

Salliman said he will also initiate representations to national agencies that can help empower his constituent-Muslim and Christian rice farmers.

The provincial government is presently constructing irrigation facilities in Barangays Kapatagan and Sumagdang in Isabela City, and in Barangay Balobo in Lamitan City, with the help of the National Irrigation Administration.