Almost four years after they dreamed of producing their own hog and poultry feeds, Cotabato farmers are now building their own feed mill which woulf use local corn and other feed materials to lower production cost and be competitive in the market.
It all started when the Cotabato Livestock Producers Association (COLIPA) wrote me a letter in 2017 when I was Agriculture Secretary asking for financial support in building a feed mill in Kidapawan City, capital of the province of Cotabato.
The proponents said that a local feed mill using corn and other raw materials grown by farmers in the area could bring down the cost of feeds and make them competitive in the market.
It would also ensure farmers of a fair and steady price for their produce.
It was a project which I immediately liked because the proposal came from the stakeholders themselves, in contrast with many other government projects which were conceptualized and designed by people who have not even touched the ground.
Based on their request, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), then under Asst. Secretary Enrico Garzon, released a funding support of P10-M for COLIPA through the local government of Kidapawan.
Unfortunately, however, the project was caught up in a political storm which delayed the release by the City LGU of the money to the farmers’ group.
The delay in the construction of the feed mill which they needed, disgruntled members of COLIPA reducing the lively association from 300 members to only 10 active officers led by the President, Sovi Singanon Villarin and other officers like lawyer Dina Espina-Chua who steadfastly pursued the dream.
On Monday, Aug. 9, Sovi asked me to witness the unloading of the China-made feed mill equipment complete with hammer mills, mixers, pelletizing machines and back-up generator in the feed mill site in Barangay Paco, Kidapawan City.
By next week, the installation would be completed and the association could conduct a test run of the feed mill in a ceremomy which is expected to draw back the former 300 members who drifted away from the association because of the long wait.
While this was originally a Department of Agriculture (DA) project, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) which I now head will support COLIPA by linking the association with the Development Bank of the Philippines for funding support.
Sovi Villarin told me that they would need about P5-M for their working capital and operational expenses so the feed mill could start producing.
I told her that P5-M is not really a big amount and DBP could fund it especially so since this facility will contribute to the agricultural growth of a locality in Mindanao, provide income opportunities for farmers and livestock raisers and boost economic recovery.
There are very important lessons to be learned here.
First, politics, when it becomes petty, could affect the development of an area and the lives of people.
Second, there is a need for government workers like us to really follow through with projects implemented in the countryside.
We cannot just build rice mills and feed mills and expect these projects to operate efficiently.
There must be a guiding and nurturing period where we in government have to go out of our way to really ensure success.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
(Photo and drone shots were taken by the Media Team of the Mindanao Development Authority.)
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