Wao, Lanao del Sur – The Mindanao Development Authority yesterday launched the Lanao del Sur Integrated Program for Agricultural Development (LIPAD) which aims to turn one of the country’s poorest provinces into a major agricultural production area.
Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong, Jr., Cong. Ansarrudin Adiong and Wao Mayor Elvino Balicao, Jr. joined MinDA officials in the symbolic launching of the program in an abandoned airfield built in the 1970s.
The LIPAD Master Plan will identify the potentials and design programs to fully develop the province with fertile soil and two major inland bodies of water – the 34,000-hectare Lake Lanao and the 1,011-hectare Lake Dapao.
Among the programs which will be undertaken as part of the LIPAD Master Plan crafting are:
1. Establishment of a digital data base for the province’s agriculture and fisheries sector, including the geo-tagging and satellite mapping of the production areas;
2. Strategic programs and interventions to protect the two major lakes, Lake Lanao and Lake Dapao;
3. Rice Industry Development Program focusing on the potential production areas, including the Basak Region, and establishing facilities for a complete value chain;
4. Cattle Industry Development Program especially in areas where forage is available and climate is ideal given the huge demand for beef during special Muslim holidays like Eid’ Adha and Eid’l Fit’r;
5. Small Ruminants Development Program, especially Goat Raising for dairy and meat because of the cultural practice of celebrating special family events like the birth in the family which is celebrated with the slaughter of two goats;
6. Sustainable tree farming, fruit tree farming and Bamboo farming programs in areas around the lakes for agricultural production and environmental protection;
7. Duckery and fish farming in both lakes to increase family income.
During the launching yesterday, I assured Gov. Adiong and the other Lanao del Sur officials of MinDA’s commitment to assist in developing the potentials of Lanao del Sur and in erasing the stigma of being labeled as the poorest province in the country.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#letswalkanextrakilometer!
#economicsofthefarmboy!
(Photos taken by the MinDA Media team in Wao, Lanao del Sur. Images of Lake Lanao and Lake Dapao were downloaded from public websites.)
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