Asuncion, Davao del Norte – Davao del Norte, one of the eight Mindanao provinces identified as Pilot Areas for the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) initiated Sorghum Development Program, launched on Thursday its province-led program which targets 400 hectares of former banana farmers ravaged by Fusarium Wilt and unutilized Ancestral Domain Areas.
The Davao del Norte Sorghum Program aims to provide an alternative crop to Farmers who suffered losses because of the dreaded “Panama Disease” or Fusarium Wilt which destroys Cavendish Bananas, the province’s Number 1 export commodity.
Governor Edwin Jubahib said un-productive Ancestral Domain Areas will also be included in the program which intends to expand the area to about 2,000 hectares before the end of the year.
Sorghum and Corn have been identified as ideal rotational crops for Fusarium-hit banana farms as these crops are believed to neutralize the disease.
The MinDA Sorghum Development Program is aimed at increasing the feed grains production of Mindanao to support its livestock and poultry industry.
Sorghum grains have higher protein content than corn and are considered as ideal feed grains for feeds production with lower price.
In addition to that, Sorghum stalks are also ideal silage materials for small and big ruminants.
The program is also aimed at reducing poverty, especially in the Ancestral Domain Areas where Sorghum could be planted even in marginal areas.
The Sorghum Seeds distributed by MinDA to eight provinces in Mindanao were donated by Scott Seed Company of Texas to the MinDA Chairman.
The eight pilot provinces identified will be linked up to two feed mill companies, PILMICO of the Aboitiz Group and CP Foods Philippines, a Thai multi=national corporation which operating poultry and hog farms in the Philippines.
(Photos of the launching and ceremonial planting of the Sorghum Program of Davao del Norte were taken by the MinDA Media Team.)
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