North Cotabato Farmers Into Oil Palm Farming Now

North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Pinol hands over an oil palm seedling, as Pikit town Mayor Sultan Sumulong looks on, to a Muslim farmer of Bolod village during a consultation-forum on oil palm farming. (Sidney Nanini)

KIDAPAWAN CITY (Carlos Bautista / 27 Jul) Farmers in Pikit town in North Cotabato province were enthusiastic in planting oil palm after Gov. Emmanual Pinol promised to help them avail of seedlings through plant-now-pay-later program.

Pinol met with farmers Wednesday at the Bolod Multi-purpose Center and assured them of the provincial government’s assistance should they decide to avail ot seedlings being loaned out through the plant-nor-pay-later program.

“If you want to graduate from poverty, plant oil palm,” Pinol said, citing Dungguan, M’lang village chieftain Jose Sagadan, whose community has improved following their shift to oil palm farming.

As added support to farmers who would venture into oil palm farming, Pinol said the provincial government would also provide the fertilizer assistance.

“We have all seen what war can do to us. Now that we have been experiencing peace, it is time we move on with our efforts to attain a better life. Oil palm is our way towards that goal, and we are here to help you to the best we can to attain that goal,” he said.