ANTIQUE, March 1, 2021 – Three farmers’ associations from the upland villages of San Remigio benefited from the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Special Program for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program’s Organic Midland and Backyard Vegetable Production Projects.

SAAD Antique assisted 270 farmers to become organic vegetable cultivators that would help them secure food and earn income amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Nagbangi 1 Organic Farmers’ Association

The Nagbangi 1 Organic Farmers’ Association (FA) with 44 members was among the priority groups who benefited from SAAD’s livelihood project worth Php 240,950 consisting of seeds of cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, cucumber; organic fertilizer; plastic seedling; UV plastics 150m; screen drum; p.e. hose; spade; spading fork; sprinkler; trowel; rake; and weighing scale.

In addition, certified inbred cucumber seeds were distributed during the dry season in 2020. A total of 100 grams (g) of seeds were planted in early December on a 0.25-hectare land.

Felma Domines, president of Nagbangi 1 Organic FA, said they marketed their produce at Php 20-25/kg. On January 22, 465 kilograms (kg) of cucumber were harvested and earned Php 9,700.

Uswag Durog FA

The Uswag Durog FA, composed of 178 members, attributed their successful yield to SAAD’s Organic Backyard Vegetable Production Project worth Php 1,667,250 consisting of seeds of bitter gourd (ampalaya), squash, lady finger (okra), bell pepper, eggplant, tomato, pole sitao; organic fertilizer; attractant; trellising net; plastic mulch; screen drum; p.e hose; spade; spading fork; sprinkler; rake; and grass cutter.

Uswag Durog FA president Rhea Decallo said they harvested about 798kg of bitter gourd from a 0.25-hectare on Dec. 26, 2020 and earned Php 53,250.

Aningalan Farmers Irrigators Association Inc

Meanwhile, the Aningalan Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. with 48 members plans to expand their target market for organic crops after a successful turnout of the SAAD’s Organic Midland Vegetable Production worth Php 248,700 consisting of various seeds of cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, cucumber; organic fertilizer; plastic seedling; UV plastic 150m; screen drum; p.e. hose; spade; spading fork, sprinkler; trowel; rake; and weighing scale.

The group’s president, Alvic Alejo, said they harvested 465kg of lettuce late January this year from a 0.25-hectare land. Trading the crops to the local market, the beneficiaries yielded an income of Php 49,750.

DA-SAAD Program Western Visayas focal person Dominador Marquez urged the beneficiaries to help in ensuring the sustainability of the projects.

Since the program’s inception in the province, the DA-SAAD Program has granted livelihood projects worth Php 6.5 million to 432 farmers. ###

Writers:
Christ John Gamarcha, SAAD Region 6 Information Officer I
Jemiema Arro, NPMO PR and Communication Officer