SULTAN KUDARAT, July 17, 2020 – A total of 1,500 farmer-beneficiaries in the province received Php 6.04 million worth of farm inputs from the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Special Area from Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program in Tacurong City.

DA 12 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen led the turnover of urea and complete fertilizers, shovel, bolos, hand trowels, open-pollinated variety (OPV) pinakbet seeds and OPV sinigang seeds, which are under the SAAD’s 2020 target. 

The distribution are as follows: 1,140 beneficiaries for Upland Rice Production Project have received 2,280 bags of urea, 2,280 bags of complete fertilizer, 230 pieces (pcs) of shovel, 230 pcs of bolos, 230 pcs of hand trowels, 3,180 packs of Open-Pollinated Variety (OPV) pinakbet seeds, and 720 packs of OPV sinigang seeds; while, 360 beneficiaries of the Corn Production Project received 60 pcs of shovel, 60 pcs of bolos, 60 pcs of hand trowels, and 1,080 packs of OPV sinigang seeds. 

An estimated 1,140 hectares of land will be planted with upland rice and 360 hectares with corn in the municipalities of Lebak, Lutayan, Bagumbayan, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Palimbang and Columbio. For Upland rice, each municipality of  Lebak, Lutayan and Bagumbayan had 230 hectares each, while in the municipality of SNA, Palimbang and Columbio each will cover 150 hectares. Furthermore, 60 hectares will be covered to the corn seeds for each municipality.

The vegetable seeds will be planted as soon as possible. These vegetable seeds will  help the farmers beneficiary harvest food weekly for food consumption and additional income.

“Isa ang SAAD program na tumutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga magsasaka…Marami nang less-fortunate nating mga kababayan ang nakinabang sa programang ito,” Director Mangelen said. He also added that the agency is continuously providing assistance to the farmers saying: “Tayo ay nag-iikot sa buong rehiyon para malaman ang mga kakailanganing interbensiyon ng mga magsasaka at upang maramdaman niyo na nandito ang DA upang tulungan ang mga magsasakang apektado ng global pandemic na ito.”

In his message of support, Lebak Municipal Agriculturist Rene Sanchez told: “Dati ay marami sa amin ang di na maganda ang tingin sa gobyerno. Pero nung nagkaroon na ng SAAD project sa amin, dahan-dahan na silang naniwala at sumuporta sa adhikain ng DA.” 

Writer:

Justin Aquino, DA-Region 12 RAFIS

Source:

Mark Anthony Marfe, SAAD-RPMSO Staff