COTABATO, July 5, 2021 – The Midsayap Farmers Federation with 50 members received Php 195,275 worth of farm inputs which is part of the Php 697,702 Integrated Upland Rice Production with Livestock and Vegetable Project of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program for FY 2021 on July 2, 2021.

The inputs include 100 bags of complete fertilizer, 100 bags of urea, 250 packs of pinakbet seeds, 50 hand trowels, and 50 shovels. The farmers are now preparing their 2,500 square meters for this purpose.

Last June 8, the federation was already given 200 bags of upland rice seeds which they planted in their 50 hectares land this July. They expect to harvest this in October.

The farm inputs were provided to 9 farmers’ associations (FA) of the Midsayap Farmers Federation which are the Arizona FA (5 members), Baliki FA (10 members), Bitoka FA (5 members), LLbocean FA (5 members), Kimagango FA (5 members), Malamote FA (5 members), Milaya FA (5 members), Sta. Cruz (5 members), and Upper Bulanan FA (5 members).

The distribution was led by SAAD Focal Person Maimona B. Amil, SAAD Project Evaluation Officers Anisa Allyn Dilangalin, Jocelyn Sugabo, Josephine Ting, Ma. Christina Taguran, and Nancy Ignacio, and together with Midsayap Municipal Agriculturist Cesar Carcosia and staff.

“Lalo pang pinaigting ng Department of Agriculture 12 ang pagtulong at pamamahagi ng proyekto o ayuda sa mga magsasaka ngayong pandemic. Hindi magiging hadlang ang pandemic upang di matulungan ang ating mga magsasaka,” said Ms. Amil.

(The Department of Agriculture Region 12 intensified its assistance and distribution of projects to our farmers during this pandemic. This health crisis will not hinder us from helping our farmers.)

She also added that, “Hinihikayat ko po kayong magkaroon tayo ng Farmers Field day upang doon po natin maipakita at maibenta na din ang mga produkto, isa sa layunin na maengganyo po natin ang iba pang magsasaka na magtanim upang magkaroon ng sapat na pagkain, sapat na kita at maiahon ang pamumuhay nating magsasaka.”

(I am encouraging you to conduct a Farmer’s Field Day to showcase and sell your products. Not just that but we can also entice other farmers to plant so that they can have enough food, enough earnings, and uplift their lives.)

The LLbocean FA President Avelina Dela Cruz also shared that they are grateful for being part of the program.

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa bumubuo ng SAAD, lalo na sa SAAD Region at sa Province, sa Municipal Agricultural Office staff maraming salamat din. Asahan nyu po na iingatan naming at palalaguin sa abot ng aming makakaya. Gagawin naming ang aming parte para makita nyu na nagpupursige kami at pinapahalagahan naming ang binigay ng Governo. Kaya po sa lahat ng mga tumulong maraming salamat po,” shared Dela Cruz.

(Many thanks to SAAD, especially to the regional and provincial staff, and also to the municipal agriculture office staff. Please expect us to keep and grow these projects as long as we can. We will do our best to show you that we really give value to these farm inputs provided to us. Many thanks to all!)

The remaining interventions under the project which are the upgraded goats and knapsack sprayers will be distributed this August. ###

Writers: Mark Anthony C. Marfe, IT-IO and Anisa Allyn Dilangalin, Project Evaluation Officer
Copy Editor: Jennifer Valcobero, SAAD NPMO Public Relation and Comms Officer