Lanao del Sur embarks on agro-forestry production.written by:Julminir I.Jannaral,Manila Times

COTABATO CITY: The provincial government of Lanao del Sur is embarking on massive raising of fruit-bearing, rubber and other high value trees and may likely include coconut palms which President Benigno Aquino 3rd is promoting for mass "buko juice" production as potential export. This, following the recent creation of Task Force Ranao aimed to maintain peace and orde Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal "Bombit"Adiong Jr. said he was set to fly to Manila Wednesday to meet the administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) for the possible crafting of a plan to include coconut production in his administration's farming drive. "I would meet with the PCA hierarchy for its possible assistance in our desire to include massive coconut production in line with the President's expressed impetus for production of buko juice, oil and other coco by-products," Adiong said. Governor Adiong upon his re-election in 2010 said he had developed a provincial nursery in his hometown of Ditsaan-Ramain capable of accommodating 300,000 seedlings at a time, but the distribution and planting works have been stalled because of unstable peace and order affected by pervasive local feudal politics and other lawless activities. "With the creation of he Task Force Ranao, which the President has supported, to contain all sorts of criminal activities in our province, we now unleash our full efforts in planting, rubber and fruit-bearing trees. Very soon, we will include coconut farming," Adiong said. Presently, he said, the provincial nursery contains more than 50,000 assorted seedlings that will be distributed free to all towns with known vast idle lands. Few days after the creation of the task force by the country top defense, military and police brasses on Sept. 24, many residents have started preparing their long-abandoned lands for use in agro-forestry development to boost the economy of the province. "One basic element of high criminality incidence is poverty. When one is hungry, he is likely to be angry and tending to commit any actions to feed his family. Chances are, the actions come in ille