SIQUIJOR, January 13, 2022 – Seventy-five (75) farmers of the Siquijor Cattle Producers Association (SICAPA) received Php 2.9 million worth of interventions from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program to supplement cattle production.

Vilma Pacino Daligdig, 50, a housewife from Sawang, Maria shared, “Dugay nako nga nangandoy makabaton ug baka, nalipay ug nagpasalamat ko ug dako kay naa ang SAAD ug nahatagan ko ug baka human sa akong pag training. Mas makalipay ang gibuhat sa mga staff para kanamo kay gigiyahan kami sa pag gam sa baka. Karon, paningkamutan nako nga marehistro akong baka sa PCIC.”

(It was a long dream for me to own cattle. Through the program, I am happy and thankful to SAAD for giving me the opportunity to receive the intervention after training. The service of the staff made us feel that we are valued and we are guided in taking care of our cattle. I will do my best to register my cattle with the Philippine Crop Insurance Company.)

The FY 2021 Cattle Production Project consists of 75 cattles worth Php 2.3 million, each distributed to 75 farmers together with 300 bags of feeds and biologics amounting to Php 567,200.

The farmers are residents of six municipalities, namely: Larena (11) Enrique Villanueva (12), Siquijor (13), San Juan (13), Lazi (13), and Maria (13). The distribution of interventions started on November 26, 2021 until January 11, 2022.

In November 2021, another 75 farmers were included in the project and were automatically considered members of SICAPA. The farmers attended the specialized training on cattle production from November 25 to 26 and December 1 to 2 in 2021 before they were given interventions. This is to guarantee that the farmers are ready and equipped before accepting and managing the project.

During the training, a scheme was discussed. The farmers agreed that they are required to give back one cattle, male or female, to the association from the first calving. Further, the beneficiary can sell the second to fifth offspring only to the association and not to other buyers.

Previously Project Acquired by Siquijor Cattle Producers Association

From January to February 2020, 100 breeder cattle were distributed to 100 farmers. The farmers then formed the SICAPA.

In May 2021, the provincial government of Siquijor, through the Provincial Veterinary Office, again received funds for the Upgraded Cattle Production Project for the benefit of another 100 farmers.

After attending the training on specialized cattle production, the farmers were automatically added as members of SICAPA. The cattle were distributed to the beneficiaries from October to November 2021.

To date, the SICAPA has 275 total SAAD members and sold eight calves for a total of Php 50,000. As per the report submitted by the SAAD Area Coordinators, the breeder cattle distributed through the FY 2018 farmers have already produced 42 offspring. SICAPA will conduct a quarterly meeting in March 2022. ###

Writer: Jolina T. Daño, DA-SAAD7 Information Officer

Source: Agnes Guanella M. Cafe, SAAD Siquijor Provincial Coordinator