HATAMAN LAUNCHES ARMM RUBBER NURSERY,

DISTRIBUTES AGRI-FISHERY INPUTS IN BASILAN

ARMM OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman delivers a speech during the launching of ARMM Central Rubber Nursery and Turn-Over of Agri Fishery Inputs at DAF - Basilan Provincial Office in Sta. Clara, Lamitan City, Basilan on Saturday, February 11, 2012 as ARMM Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Prof. Sangkula Tindick and Joint Task Force-Basilan Commander Col. Ricardo Visaya look on.

Regional Governor Hataman launches the ARMM Central Rubber Nursery and distributed various Agri Fishery Inputs in Barangay Sta. Clara, Lamitan City, Basilan.

RG Hataman performs a turnover of gill net fishing inputs together with Basilan Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakkalahul and ARMM Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Prof. Sangkula Tindick.

The 10-hectare rubber nursery project, the first of its kind in ARMM, located at Sta. Clara Breeding Station in Lamitan City, will enhance rubber seedlings and production with an expected output of 1,220,000 propagated rubber seedlings of 7 different clones.

"Its duration: March 2012 onwards; area; expected output: 1,220,000 propagated rubber Seedlings of 7 different clones; area to be planted: 2,440 hectares; proponent/implementor: DAF-ARMM, Basilan," said ARMM DAF Secretary Prof. Sangkula Tindick.

According to Tindick, the nursery project will benefit rubber farmers or growers in the island province and provide them livelihood "besides could augment the incomes of the rural folks and boosting the province's rubber industry."

DA-Central, DA-RFU IX, Philippine Rubber Board, USM, Office of the Congressman Lone District Basilan Jim Salliman, PLGU, MLGUs, NGOs, and POs of Basilan are the project coordinating agencies.

Budgetary requirement is P9.5 million (project cost - P6,750,000, administrative cost - P2,750,000) that is source from the ARMM Local Fund Office of the Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman.

"Expected: First year operation March, 2012 to February 2013 (seedlings produced: 610,000 hills, seedlings distributed: 604,000 hills, and rubbery clones propagated: 7 clones)," Tindick said.

Hataman also launched a 3.5 hectares coconut project as well as a 2 hectares mango-durian project and .5 hectares rambutan project.Likewise, the agro forest area with a total rubber area of 12 hectares and productive area of 6 hectares and the "Binhi Para sa Kapayapaan" nursery (10 hectares) as well as the future area for rubber production and research purposes.

Hataman's undertaking is the ARMM government's response to enhancing peace in the region by increasing agricultural productivity and the agriculture department's goal of opening new agri-business lands.

He stressed the need to transform the many unproductive and idle lands of the province into agri-business lands to help generate more jobs for the locals. The ARMM OIC Governor lauded Secretary Tindick for his sensitivity and responsiveness in improving the welfare of the people of Basilan. -- HG