OFFICIALS from the Agriculture department assured the former rebels of the agency’s support for their Adlay farming as potential livelihood projects for them,said in a press statement Friday.

DA-10 officials even said as one of the government agencies supporting the implementation of Executive Order 70, an order calling for a whole-of-nation approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

The DA reaffirms its support of the government’s pursuit of inclusive and sustainable peace, the report said.

Some P4.8 million worth of financial assistance to 20 former rebels and 10 housing units built by the National Housing Authority (NHA) were also turned over at Army’ 403rd Brigade, Camp Osito Bahian in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on December 8, 2020.

During the Adlai Ceremonial Harvest, DA officials announced that the agency would release more funding for agribusiness capital, milling equipment, and other farm implements to boost agricultural productivity in Region 10.

Adlay is a tropical plant bearing tear-shaped grains slightly bigger than that of corn and rice.

It is popularly used in diet owing to its anti-inflammatory properties, good for diabetes since it has a low glycemic index and is rich in fiber.

“DA will back up the government’s support to people who have returned to the calls of the law,” said DA undersecretary for regulations, Engr. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan, adding that all of them are working together in a whole-of-nation approach.

Ampatuan commended the Army’s effort in hosting the former rebels and engaging them in adlay production and processing.

He said the DA will be pushing adlay production in the ensuing years, as a highly viable livelihood program.

Ampatuan said it's a good thing that the former rebels are safe, and now stand for the same ideology to fight for the people in a productive way.

“Adlai will be a big thing. This will make the Philippine famous,” said Ampatuan, adding that no other Asian countries produce adlay in massive scale.

Due to growing demand, Adlay has been commercially produced as a healthier alternative for rice and corn.

Ampatuan said the DA has set aside a seed fund to promote adlay production.

“The agribusiness service of DA will be allocating P10 million to fund adlay research and support some enterprises that are developing adlay products,” he said.

Ampatuan said that the President emphasized that there will be no more rebels as people will open up their minds.

We do not need war within and among us, according to Ampatuan.

“I congratulate you as you renew your vow back to this peaceful society,” he said.

DA-10 regional technical director for operations and the concurrent DA RFO-10’s research division Carlota S. Madriaga said has produced various value-added adlay products such as adlay wine, cookies and cereal.

“We in the government embrace you back. You (former rebels) are our balikbayans,” said Madriaga.

The division also developed adlay processing and packaging technologies that can be benchmarked by interested agripreneurs in the region. (Angie Cabig/ATalib/DA-10)