DAVAO DE ORO, December 4, 2020 – Despite the pandemic, the Special Area for Agriculture Development (SAAD) Program in Region 11 delivered the final components for the Upgraded Goat Program for FY 2020 in New Bataan. New Bataan is among the 11 municipalities covered by the SAAD Program in Davao de Oro. The said municipality has 30.3% poverty incidence among families in 2015 based on the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Sixty (60) Anglo-Nubian Native upgraded goats consisting 54 does and 6 bucks were awarded to 30 beneficiaries from barangays Andap and Cabinuangan for backyard raising, alongside two sheds, which would serve as shelter for the livestock.

Barangay Andap’s Small Coconut Farmers Association and Barangay Cabinuangan’s Farmer’s Association, which both have 15 beneficiaries, each received 30 goats (27 does, 3 bucks) and a shed worth Php 1.6 million.

Upgraded goat production was identified by SAAD Region 11 for Davao de Oro because of the area’s suitability for goat farming.

SAAD focal person Naomi Lamata challenged farmer-beneficiaries to “commit to the development of the program”. Referring to the goats and goat sheds, she added, “Dugangan nato ni unya palamboon. Musalig ang DA og ang SAAD program sa inyohang commitment nga inyoha gyud palambuon ang proyekto karon (Let’s develop and amplify this. The DA and SAAD program trust your commitment that you’ll improve upon this project).”

In response, both associations’ chairpersons gladly accepted the challenge.

“Amo gyud ning paningkamotan nga kini mapalambo, ma-sustainable gyud ang among pamaagi. Naa nami mga plano nga gimeetingan…nga dili gyud namo pasagdan ang gihatag sa SAAD Program (We will strive to improve this, that our ways will be sustainable. We already have plans…that we won’t neglect what the SAAD Program has given to us),” Esidro Salisali, barangay Cabinuangan’s farmer association chair, said.

“Akong saad, nga inig balik para sa inspeksyon, naa nay kalamboan uban sa miyembro og sa board nga mutabang aron mudaghan ni (My promise is that when you return for inspection, there will be an increase in number of goats with the members’ and board’s help),” added Orlando Ballener, barangay Andap’s farmer’s association chairperson.

Davao de Oro’s provincial veterinarian Rolando Simene commits to help farmer-beneficiaries on technicalities regarding goat rearing, nutrition, and diseases. He said plans to do this were “through briefings and seminars”.

New Bataan Mayor Geraldford Balbin also attended the event, thanking the SAAD Program’s continued support in his municipality. ###

Writer: James Brian R. Flaga, SAAD RPMSO 11 Information Officer

Source: DA-SAAD Davao de Oro