We were also lucky since DA Usec. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan was present and discussed to us the Rice Consolidation and Mechanization Program of South Cotabato…wherein rice farming will be pursued at a higher level i.e. on a large scale and fully mechanized approach to reduce cost, increase volume of production, assured income for participating farmers.
Post harvest activities such as drying milling and marketing will also be done in the state of the art facility which will be managed by professional and highly technical individuals like the one in big private corporations where there is accountability and work security. This could be the template to be implemented in other rice producing Provinces for the country to attain rice self sufficiency.
Our salute to South Cotabato Provincial Government and Department of Agriculture for conceptualizing and working together to realize this plan. May God bless you all.