by: Rio N. Araja

Saudi Arabia wants to import goats from Mindanao to ensure a reliable and safe supply of two million goats daily during the annual season of Hajj in December, according to the Department of Agrarian Reform.

Muslim pilgrims from 70 countries will be flocking to Mecca during the six-day festival ending on the last sunday of December.

Undersecretary for Special Concerns Bernie Cruz revealed that Saudi Ambassador Mohammed Ameen Wali expressed the kingdom’s interest in buying not only goats but also cavendish bananas, mangoes, pineapple and processed virgin coconut oil from Mindanao.

The department is studying how the Saudi plan can help the beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

The chambers of commerce and industry in Mindanao would meet with Wali and the Arab business community in their country either on July 30 or in August.

Cruz said he would lead the group.

“The ambassador was shocked to know that the country’s gross income derived from farmers’ exportation to Saudi was only at $50 million per year.’’

Cruz said Mindanao has the capability to supply the needs of Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage.

It is obligatory for a Muslim to attend the six-day festival at least once in a lifetime. Each pilgrim must offer goats as sacrifice.

Cruz said the Arabs through Wali have pledged to provide the brokerage fees and other charges for transporting the products from Mindanao to Saudi.

“Right now, the supply of goats during the pilgrimage comes from different countries. Can you imagine how much money would our farmer earn a month once the deal is closed? Each farmer is likely to earn a monthly income of P40,000. Our local farmers’ rate exportation to Saudi would triple from $50

million per year to $150 million per year.”