SARANGANI, May 13, 2020 – The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Regional Field Office (RFO) 12 distributed 1,200 heads of Muscovy ducks to 60 farmer-beneficiaries of Barangay Tuyan, Malapatan and Barangay New Aklan, Glan.

The ducks are part of the Integrated Open-Pollinated Variety (OPV) White Corn with Poultry and Vegetables Production Project under the 2019 SAAD fund worth Php 6,968,080.

Aside from Malapatan and Glan, the municipalities of Kiamba, Maasim, Maitum, Malungon, and Alabel are also beneficiaries of the same project that will receive the ducks on different days of distribution. The target for each municipality is to have 600 ducks to be apportioned equally at 20 heads/farmer.

Previously, all farmer-beneficiaries of the said project already received OPV corn seeds, foliar fertilizer, knapsack sprayer, free-range chicken, pinakbet seeds, shovel, bolo, hand trowel, and a technical training for Corn Production and Management. 

The distribution by the SAAD Sarangani team is in cooperation with the Office of Provincial Agriculturist, Municipal Agriculture Offices, and the concerned municipal and barangay local government units.

During the distribution ceremony, Glan Municipal Mayor Vivien B. Yap expressed how glad she was when the SAAD Program came to their municipality.  She also encouraged the farmers to be responsible to sustain the project. 

Mayor Yap shared, “Hindi dapat nila ihawin pagdating sa bahay. Dapat maparami nila dahil makakatulong ito sa kanila at pag dumami na ang production ng duck within 4 months… maibebenta na nila ito. Pag naumpisahan na nilang ibenta, sunod sunod na ang pagmarket nila at kung sa isang duck tig Php 120 per kilo at meron kang sampung piraso, meron ka nang Php 1200. Kung makabenta pa sila ng 20 na piraso, meron ng Php 2400. So, pera na yan. So konting pagsisikap at pagta-trabaho. Binigay na sa inyo lahat”.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Harcan Mohammad, expressed his gratitude for the SAAD Program. He said, “Malipayun ako nga nakadawat ining baynte ka patu kay daku kinig tabang sa akoa ug akoang pamilya para sa pagkaon sama sa itlog. Puhon maka padaghan ug maka dugang kini ug income sa amoang panudlanan. Salamat DA-12 ug OMAG staff, sa PLGU ug SAAD staff sa pag hatag ining mga proyekto para sa mga pobreng sama nako”. (“I am happy that I received 20 heads of Muscovy ducks because it will be a big help for me and for my family for our food, in the form of eggs. Soon, this will make plenty harvest and give additional income for our savings. Thank you DA-12, OMAG, PLGU, and SAAD staff for initiating this project to help the poor people like us.”) ### 

Writers:

Prezy B. Requizo, Project Development Officer I

Jemiema Arro, SAAD Public Relations and Communications Officer