A memorandum of technical cooperation between the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) and the Negros Occidental provincial government is set to be signed to boost food self-sufficiency.
This was disclosed by MinDa chairman Emmanuel Piñol, former agriculture secretary, who met with Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Capitol in Bacolod City Monday morning, March 22.
“We are very interested in Mindanao about learning new farming technologies in Negros Occidental, specifically your rice, sugarcane multi-cropping. It is something that we will adopt in Mindanao,” Piñol said.
Mindanao, in turn, is offering Negros Occidental technology on cattle and livestock production, and providing planting materials for high breed coconuts and fruits, he added.
They are also offering the technology on silage making, he said.
He stressed the need for the country to ensure food self-sufficiency, especially amid a pandemic.
“We should not rely on imported goods. I am happy that Gov. Lacson has the same perspective as I do. We are in this together,” he said.*