Provincial agriculturists within the Lanao del Sur are now identifying a contiguous land area in irrigated lands for the model-demonstration farm in Marawi, the biggest city in Lanao del Sur.
The model farm eyed is relatively big and may require a production cost of around P30,000 per hectare. Traditionally, technology demonstration sites only cover one to two hectares. However, in Marawi City, a bigger model farm appears to be necessary in relation to the despair and destruction of the city after going through the ravages of a five-month war, believed to be the longest in the country.
“We want to bring the message to the people of Marawi that there’s hope. SL Agritech will put in the money for this techno-demo to inspire hope,” said SL AGritech Corp. Chairman Henry Lim Bon Liong.
SLAC is carrying out the hybrid rice planting in coordination with Go Negosyo, the city government, and the Department of Agriculture.
“Go Negosyo has asked SL to participate in the economic rehabilitation,” Lim said.
Marawi City, also known as a summer capital of the South, has predominantly cooler weather because of its higher elevation.
It is not much of a rice farming location, but there are farmers growing traditional rice varieties. The company sees its role in Marawi’s rehabilitation as an expansion of an earlier agricultural investment in likewise conflict-affected Maguindanao where it also put up a model farm.
