AMAI MANABILANG, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--As the Republic Act No. 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997 is now being implemented following its enactment two decades ago, the government targets to transform the municipalities of Wao and Amai Manabilang all in the province of Lanao del Sur into a Mindanao special economic zone (MinSEZ) to bring in more investments and business opportunities with the employment of a mechanized and precision agriculture technology.
This, following the official launching of the Agro-Industrial Development Program (AIDP) led by the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) in partnership with Lanao del Sur Corn Development Authority (LDSCDA) and American Asia Pacific Precision Agriculture Group (ASPAC AG) Tuesday, November 16.
SPDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Administrator Abdulghani Ajul Salapuddin underscored that it is particularly through the ASPAC AG, a supplier of corn and soy, that the authority's project under the AFMA is made possible with its provision of giant farm tractors and machineries which have GPS, can work without drivers as they can be managed from an office, and can plow and plant at least 50 hectares per day.
He shared that a water system will be further implemented by the foreign company to make the growth of corn plants certain.
"Despite the meager resources of SPDA and at no expense on the part of the government, we managed to persuade ASPAC AG through the intercession of Minister Ed Guerra to become our partner in implementing this precision agricultural engineering in the 26,000 hectares of SPDA, proclaimed property in the municipalities of Wao and Amai Manabilang," said Salapuddin as he thanked the Bangsamoro region's Ministry of Public Works which helped the authority find its foreign partner.
The American company Asia Pacific Precision Agriculture Group (ASPAC AG) is said to be providing modern agriculture technology and equipment to make the healthy growth of corn certain. Its tractors are guided with GPS, can run without a driver, and can plow and plant 50 hectares a day. (PIA-Lanao del Sur)
The SPDA chief stressed that this will bring a windfall of economic benefits like employment of local constituents, financial benefits in two municipalities, and transfer of modern technology and engineering as ATI will soon be founded.
Salapuddin further said the project will likewise give advantage to the youth to reshape their view on farming.
"We instill in the minds of the youth that modern agriculture with the aid of modern technology can make farming more convenient," he said.
Commencing the AIDP soon, Salapuddin conveyed his appreciation for the commitment of the involved municipalities to give support for whatever is necessary as he further asked for support in the maintenance of indispensable peace and order.
Meanwhile, he bared that the first grand launching will be followed soon with another one involving Kennemer Foods International which supplies cacao and coffee to Mars Food Corporation.
Salapuddin also pledges his assistance for the intent of the Philippine Army to develop their hectares of military reservation in the province.
With the initiative of advancing development in particular areas, the SPDA then appealed for the establishment of an economic zone in central Mindanao as there is only one on the island which is situated in Zamboanga City but independent from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)
As proclaimed, the SPDA has a 26,000-hectare land area to look after in the province wherein 16,000 hectares is in the municipality of Wao while the other 10,000 hectares is in the municipality of Amai Manabilang. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)
