ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE – Four farmer associations from Siocon and Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte (ZaNorte) received 126 goats under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) this 29th and 30th of October 2018.
120 farmers from D. Riconalla Farmers Association, Makiang Farmers Association, Lubok Farmers Association, and Culasian Farmers Association are the beneficiaries of SAAD ZaNorte’s Communal Goat Raising Project, implemented in FY 2018.
Siocon and Sirawai are neighboring towns in the southern part of the province. Their economy solely depends on rice, corn, rubber, and vegetable farming.
Philippine Statistics Authority shows that both have a record of at least 40% poverty incidence rate among population in 2012.
Since most of the two municipalities’ areas are hilly and mountainous, the farmers proposed goat-raising as a potential alternative livelihood project in increasing their income and improving their lives.
SAAD ZaNorte Livestock Coordinator Jailyn Gamutan, Property Officer Betty Llamel, Area Coordinators (AC) Jill Sazon and Marisol Opinio led the distribution of the goats. Siocon Municipal Agriculturist Christita Micubo was also present.
The assigned ACs will continue monitoring the projects provided to Sirawai and Siocon beneficiaries. ###
Writer: Jhomai Canlas, SAAD PR & Communications Officer
Contributor: Marisol Opinio, SAAD Zamboanga del Norte Area Coordinator
