280 farmers in N. Cotabato get oil palm, cacao seedlings

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The provincial government of North Cotabato today continued its Seedlings Dispersal Program with 280 small farmers from five towns receiving seedlings of oil palm and cacao, officials said. These farmers were from the municipalities of Kabacan, Carmen, M’lang, Antipas and Tulunan. The turn-over held at Triple P Farm in Barangay Katidtuan, Kabacan was led by North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza and Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Eliseo M. Mangliwan handed oil palm seedling to some 240 farmers to be planted in their respective nurseries or farms. Following the turn-over, another 47 farmers were also given cacao seedlings by Mendoza and Mangliwan in a separate ceremonial distribution at the Agri-Center, Capitol Compound, Amas, Kidapawan City. The provincial government continues an integrated approach of assisting farmers especially those affected by the long drought in February to May of this year,” Mendoza said. With sensible programs, we aim to improve the living conditions of our farmers by giving what is useful and practical for them. In this case, the seedlings will serve as augmentation for their existing farms,” she added. Maribeth Alejo of Antipas and Rogelio Quintero of New Janiway village, M’lang, two of the recipients of oil palm seedlings expressed their gratitude for the assistance which they refer to as instrument to help small farmers like them. According to Mangliwan, the budget for cacao dispersal for 2014 was Php3 million while Php3.8 million is allotted for 2015. On the other hand, the budget for oil palm dispersal for 2015 is Php20 million. Mangliwan said that oil palm and cacao are highly potential to become foremost agricultural products of North Cotabato as they suit well to the climate, soil and topography of the province.