‘Arms To Farms’ Program: Rebels To Food Producers

Camp Ibrahim Sema, the former rebel redoubt of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte will now be transformed into a food production area where former rebels and their families will plant Sorghum and Soybeans, including Giant Bamboo.
The cascading activities include raising of Cattle, Goat, Sheep and Free-Range Chicken.
Yesterday, the Arms To Farms Program, a concept originally started by Kauswagan, Lanao Del Norte Mayor Rommel Arnado, was launched with the presence of former Congresswoman Bai Sandra Sema, wife of MNLF leader and former Cotabato City Mayor Muslimen Sema.
Also present during the simple field event yesterday were Noel Clarence Ducusin and Omar Hadji Ali of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council of the Department of Agriculture, former IBP President and Tribal Chief Burt M. Estrada, Bukidnon Police Chief Jovit Culaway and members of the PNP Barracks Cooperative and local officials of Barangay Benolen, DOS led by Barangay Chairman Datu Duma Sinsuat.
The simple launching ceremony was done in the 2-hectare Demo Farm where Sorghum Hybrid and Soybeans were planted to showcase the project.
Sorghum and Soybeans farming will cover an initial area of 200 hectares, out of the estimated 5,000-hectares of largely unused land.
The Sorghum production will be bought by the Southseas Agri-Aqua Ventures Inc., a young company which I and Sen. Ping Lacson formed in 2022 with a few friends, while Soybeans will be absorbed by Vetmate Farma Corp., a company owned by Batangas businessman German Panghulan.
After the planting of Sorghum and Soybeans, the former rebels and farmers, including the out-of-school youth, will also be involved in downstream activities include Cattle and Goat Raising, including the production of free-range chicken.
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!