With Solar Irrigation! TARAKA EYES PRODUCTION OF MARANAO PREMIUM RICE

Taraka, Lanao del Sur – An estimated 700-hectares of fertile land beside Lake Lanao will soon be the source of Premium Maranao Rice which would be grown using environment-friendly farming.

During my consultative meeting on Wednesday with Taraka officials led by Mayor Nashiba Sumagayan and cluster leaders of farmers whose areas will be served by the Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems, it was agreed that only premium rice varieties with good eating quality will be planted in the area.

Maranaos are known to be very particular about the eating quality of rice that they buy.

It was suggested that initially, US 88, a hybrid premium rice variety and NSIC RC 160 will be introduced during the last planting season this year.

Simultaneous with the planting, a rice varietal trial area will also be established to determine what other premium rice varieties will perform well in Taraka.

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has introduced the complete value chain concept in Taraka’s rice production program.

It will involve stakeholders from planting to processing and marketing.

The Philippine Rice Research Institute, the Ministry of Agriculture of BARMM, the Northern Mindanao Office of the Department of Agriculture and PhilMech are supporting the project.

On Aug. 10, the first three of the six units of SPIS will be cimmissioned to irrigate at least 300 hectares.

Since Taraka does not have a rice processing facility yet, the produce will be brought to a modern rice mill in neighboring North Cotabato where it will be packed with proper branding.

The packed Maranao Premium Rice will then be shipped back to Taraka where it will be sold to Maranao consumers.

“Hindi na kami aasa sa imported rice. We will plant and eat our own premium rice,” Mayor Sumagayan said.

The six SPIS units and a huge Solar-Powered Water System.to produce potable water are all funded by the Development Bank of the Philippines under the MinDAWater Program of MinDA, DBP and DILG.

Taraka is the first local government unit in the country to fund the establishment of Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems which would enable its farmers to plant twice a year.

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(This video material.was prepared by the media team of the Mindanao Development Authority.)