Farming moves to marshlands

COTABATO CITY—Moro farmers have expanded rice farming to up to 60,000 hectares of marshland in Maguindanao, effectively increasing production level by 34 percent in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said an expanded agricultural activity on minimally inundated portions of the Liguasan marshland has improved rice productivity in what used to be conflict-affected towns of Sharif Sayduna Mustapha, Datu Piang and Datu Salibo.

But Mangudadatu said this option should be limited to organic rice farming and must be done without disturbing sanctuaries of migratory birds in the area.

Rice production has also increased in Lanao del Sur, the region’s second largest rice-producing province after Maguindanao, said ARMM Agriculture Secretary Alexander Alonto.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman credited the increased rice production to an improving peace and order situation due to the ongoing peace process, stronger coordination of development programs with local governments, better road access and the construction of bridges.

Alonto said the Maguindanao rice expansion and improved infrastructure in the province and in Lanao del Sur pushed the region’s average rice production in the first half of the year to 2.73 metric tons per hectare.

During the same period in 2014, the region registered an average harvest of 1.8 MT/ha, and even lower in 2015. Nash B. Maulana, Inquirer Mindanao