ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, September 9, 2020 – The Department of Agriculture (DA) – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) turned over a total of Php 1,918,800.00 worth of farm inputs to Paniran Farmers Association (30 members) and Malayal SAAD Farmers Association (32 members) under the FY 2019 Layer Chicken Egg Production Project in Sibuco.

On July 1, 2020, each association received 15 modules of egg machine. Each module consists of 48 layer chickens worth Php 1,000,590.00. The intervention also includes 90 bags of feeds for each association worth Php 306,900.00. They also shared three units of wheelbarrow worth Php 9,900.00 and 300 egg trays worth Php 12,000.00.

During the program, the municipal Mayor Joel Ventura reminded the associations to maximize the livelihood projects given by the DA-SAAD. “Since we are given these inputs for free, what matters now is how we put effort to manage this project well.”

Ronillo Dusaban, the DA-SAAD Provincial Coordinator, also gave a message to the association. He stressed, “The DA-SAAD did not fail you because you did not fail us too. It is because of your active participation that we are finally fulfilling our promise to you.” He also added that the purpose of implementing this Chicken Layer Egg Production Project is to produce fresh and safe eggs because the program does not just focus on the income but also the nutrition of the community.

Moreover, Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer-in-Charge George Vallente encouraged the farmer partners by saying, “If we want this project to be successful, this association must have a strong relationship so you will have one another to rely on whatever this journey may bring.”

Wyzynskai Sioko, president of Malayal SAAD Farmers Association, expressed his gratitude to the initiative of the DA-SAAD for reaching the marginalized areas of the province. “I am thankful to the SAAD, with its very supportive staff, for constantly securing that our livelihoods will improve our way of living. For the two months that this project was delivered to us, we can see a brighter future for us farmers.” ###

Writer:                 Aimee Lou Madjus, Information Officer- SAAD Region 9

Photo credits to Department of Agriculture RFO IX