NORTH COTABATO, May 26, 2020 – Twenty (20) farmers from Barangay Sitio New Leon in the Municipality of Aleosan benefited from the Upland Rice Production Project of the Special Area for Agricultural Development Program (SAAD) – DA Region 12 under FY 2019 funds.

The said project entails 40 sacks of upland rice seeds, 40 sacks of urea, 30 sacks of complete fertilizers, 20 packs of pinakbet seeds (okra, eggplant, ampalaya, and tomato), sinigang seeds (radish, string beans, petchay, finger pepper, kangkong, and eggplant), and two units of knapsack sprayers amounting to Php 251,980.

Each farmer received two sacks of upland rice seeds, two sacks of urea, two sacks of complete fertilizers, and a pack of pinakbet seeds or sinigang seeds, costing Php 12,449. The interventions are intended to cover a total of 20 hectares of upland farms. 

All farmer-beneficiaries of the said project underwent a training orientation before the outbreak of COVID-19.

During the distribution, Kagawad Warlito Cabuguason expressed his gratitude to the SAAD Program and said, “This project is a big help in terms of food production. Kailangan talagang maitanin ang mga binhi dahil malaki ang maitulong nito sa pagbibigay ng pagkain lalo na sa hirap ng buhay ngayon. We are so happy to receive an intervention. Especially this time of crisis.”

In addition, Kagawad Felimon Caluyo said, “This is not just a 2 to 3 days assistance. Malaking tulong po ito sa amin na may mapagkukunan ng pagkain at makadagdag kita pa sa amin mga mahihirap. Salamat dahil nakita ninyo po talaga na kailangan namin tulong.” 

Also, last May 12, 2020, the municipality of President Roxas also received the same interventions. The project will help farmers produce their own food and provide additional income for their families during the pandemic crisis. 

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

Writers: 

 Nancy Ignacio, SAAD PDO 1

 Jemiema Arro, Public Relations and Communications officer