MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Some 180 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Lanao del Sur province benefited from the Arms to Farms project of the provincial government.

The project seeks to transform MILF and MNLF camps into more productive communities through farming. It also aims to influence the community in understanding the importance of food sustainability and security. 

It is being implemented by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) under its Mozhor so Kawyagan sa Ranao (MKRA) program.

During the second semester meeting of the Provincial Development Council, the OPAg reported that the project’s beneficiaries consisted of 80 members from Camp Darul Aman J3 and Camp Satellite Mubarak in Kapai town, 50 members from Camp Jabal Thour in Bubong town, and 50 members from Salimbago Tambak Farmers Marketing Cooperative in Mulondo town.

The project also assisted 55 farmers in Piagapo, 57 in Saguiaran, 50 in Marantao, and 30 in Ditsaan-Ramain.

Accordingly, the beneficiaries were identified in coordination with the Philippine Army.

Aside from Arms to Farms, the MKRA program also includes the provision of fertilizers and the "Food Always in the Home" project which involves the provision of vegetable seeds and other farm inputs to households so that they will be able to plant their own food and reduce their family consumption expenditures. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)