Photo shows Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa congratulating Mr. Moriel K. Mangudadatu after signing the grant contract for “The Project for the Provision of Pre and Postharvest Facilities for the Farmers of the Municipality of Bagumbayan in Sultan Kudarat” on March 24, 2015 at the Astoria Plaza, Pasig City, Metro Manila. The ceremony was witnessed by the representatives of the Islamic Multi-purpose Cooperative. |
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa and the Chairman of the Islamic Multi-purpose Cooperative, Mr. Moriel K. Mangudadatu signed the grant contract for "The Project for the Provision of Pre and Postharvest Facilities for the Farmers of the Municipality of Bagumbayan in Sultan Kudarat" on March 24, 2015 at the Astoria Plaza, Pasig City, Metro Manila. The total amount is US$ 93,738 (approximately 4 million pesos) and is funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
(Project Summary)
To further improve the productivity and income of farmers in Bagumbayan, the EOJ through GGP will fund the procurement of one (1) unit four 4WD tractor with complete accessories, two (2) units corn sheller, two (2) units sledge tiller and three (3) units power tiller, three (3) units rice thresher with the provision for the construction of additional solar dryer. This undertaking aims to benefit a total of 1,520 rice and corn farmers in the Municipality of Bagumbayan.
Bagumbayan is among the 11 municipalities in the province of Sultan Kudarat. It covers a total land area of 67, 295 hectares with a total population of 63,700 (NSO, 2010). Farming is the main source of income among the residents. Predominantly, most of the farmers are engaged in rice and corn production. In 2013, rice covered totaled to 2,004 hectares with 9,019 metric tons of production. Corn on the other hand has a total of 1,416 hectares with 7,080 metric tons of production. For each cropping, farmers received a net income of Php 57,650 for rice and Php 35,250 for corn. This translates to an average monthly income of around Php 9,608 for rice farmers and Php 5,875 for corn farmers. The minimal income received by the farmers is due to high cost of renting farm implement and high postharvest losses.
(About the Proponent)
The Islamic Multi-purpose Cooperative was established in 2009 and majority of its members are engaged in corn and rice production. Aside from that, the cooperative has experienced partnering with the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the provision of various livelihood opportunities for the farmers in Bagumbayan particularly in livestock and crops production. They were also given funding by the DA for the construction of warehouse and solar dryer in 2013.
(About the GGP)
The Government of Japan, as the top ODA donor for the Philippines, launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of present, 510 grassroots projects have been funded by GGP. Japan believes that this project will not only strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute to further fostering a strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines toward the future.
Japanese Version
