BUKIDNON, November 27, 2020 – Bukidnon locals may expect growth in cattle industry as the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported 59 births and 48 pregnancies from the 350 cattle dispersed by the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program in 2018 under the Cattle Production Project.

In a simultaneous monitoring activity conducted by the program implementers from November 24 to 27, the SAAD beneficiaries from the towns of Damulog, Kibawe, Kitaotao, Kadingilan, Kalilangan, Pangantucan, and Quezon disclosed that their cattle have reached the reproduction age.

Fifty-year-old Romanito Bracero is the first SAAD recipient to turn over a weaned female calf to the next grantee in Salvacion, Kadingilan. Having received the cattle, garden tools, and farm inputs for corn and vegetable production, Bracero said that the livelihood assistance has been helpful for his family’s daily bread.

“I am very thankful to be chosen as one of SAAD beneficiaries. I will see to it this grants will grow under my care,” vowed Bracero.

On the other hand, 70-year-old Reynaldo Delahente from Kinura, Kalilangan is the first next-in-line beneficiary to receive a weaned calf born from SAAD.

“So that I can help other farmers in our place, I will tend to the cattle entrusted to me until they give birth. This program is highly commendable for poor farmers like us,” said Delahente.

However, the farmers’ associations (FAs) also reported 22 cattle mortalities. Most of these were insured at the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

The uninsured dead cattle are subject to the replacement scheme agreed upon by the recipients and the FAs. As a requirement, the farmers were obliged to insure their cattle with the PCIC starting this year onward. In continuing support to the farmers, this year the cattle raisers were provided sorghum seeds to be used in forage cultivation.

Also, multivitamins, wound spray, antibacterial solution, and electrolytes were given to help ascertain the cattle’s health.

This project aims to increase and upgrade the cattle population in the SAAD-covered municipalities aside from giving the marginalized farmers an additional source of income. ###

Writer: Azbie Talib, SAAD RPMSO 10, Information Writer
Copy Editor: Jennifer Valcobero, SAAD NPMO Public Relation and Comms Officer