USM and FAO Partner to Enhance Farmer Capacity in BARMM
March 16, 2024
Dr. Cañolas Presents After Action Review on USM-FAO Partnership in BARMM
March 16, 2024
In an event on March 12, 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, along with other stakeholders, gathered for an After-Action Review of the Bangsamoro Soil Information System at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang. The meeting included prominent figures like Dr. Daud Lagasi from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), Mr. Jumpei Tachikawa from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Ms. Sarah Lacson from FAO, and Mr. Alberto A. Aduna from FAO.
Dr. Adeflor Grant Garcia, a Soil Information System Specialist, led a thorough review of the Bangsamoro Soil Information System. The review aimed to improve agricultural productivity in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Dr. Garcia’s analysis spanned from November 6, 2023, to February 13, 2024, focusing on enhancing soil data and supporting sustainable agriculture.
The review uncovered important findings. It involved examining soil types across four provinces and 33 municipalities in BARMM, resulting in the creation of 37 soil maps using advanced GIS technology. Dr. Garcia identified significant unidentified soil types, particularly in Maguindanao del Sur and Lanao del Sur, which could affect agricultural planning and productivity. Additionally, thematic mapping generated 82 additional maps, including slope, elevation, rainfall, and temperature, crucial for assessing agricultural suitability. Suitability evaluations were conducted for rice and corn cultivation, revealing nutrient deficiencies and flooding risks in low-lying areas.
Moving forward, recommendations were made to improve the soil mapping process, establish a repository for data, conduct further surveys and analyses, enhance stakeholder capacity, and establish a Pest and Disease Diagnostic Center and Biological Control Laboratory.
The After-Action Review served as a platform for collaborative dialogue and strategic planning. Stakeholders aimed to address challenges and seize opportunities for sustainable agricultural development in BARMM.
JMBangoy
PCTTO
