KALINGA, February 21, 2022 – Coinciding with the objective of the 161 strong Romualdez Farmers’ Association (RFA) of establishing a goat multiplier farm, 25 heads of purebred Anglo-Nubian goat composed of 20 females and 5 males were provided by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) program in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) as an upgrade of the previously delivered native goat stocks.

The intervention is part of the Integrated Lowland Vegetable, Fruit Trees, and Goat Production Project worth Php 1,250,000 funded by the program under FY 2021.

Since the group is gearing up on the establishment of a goat multiplier farm, a pure breed was procured to produce upgraded goats that will allow them to earn more. According to Assistant Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Raponcel Saguilot, DVM, Nubian is a good breed for meat and milk production that would lead to additional ventures in the future.

Four RFA were identified as caretakers of the purebred stocks as agreed upon by the members. The caretakers will be providing goat shelters in four sites, as required by the program, after having been validated by the Provincial Office for Veterinary Services and SAAD staff prior to its dispersal which is meant to prevent further stress that may lead to sickness of said stocks.

Dr. Saguilot inspected the stocks and delivered a short orientation on the basics of managing a purebred goat. Training for caretakers and other RFA goat raisers was also suggested to help the farmers reduce their cost input without compromising the goats’ health.

Meanwhile, Municipal Agriculturist Isabelo Dawaton, on behalf of the local government unit (LGU) of Rizal, reminded that good management and their unity will lead to the project’s success.

“Masapul nga tarimaanen tayu daytuy nga naiyeg tapnu iti kasta agprodukto metlang. Agkaykaysa kayu ket sapay kuma ta agsuccess daytuy nga proyekto tapnu agbalin nga supplier iti kalding ti RFA,” Dawaton said.

(We need to take care of these provided interventions for it to become productive. You must be united and I hope that this project will be a success so that RFA will soon be a supplier of goat.)

The LGU will also assist the beneficiaries in registering the goats under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIP) for the stocks to be insured.

SAAD Kalinga and its partner implementers are set to provide technical assistance and thorough monitoring to ensure the project’s sustainability and success. ###

Writer: Sheen Dayagon, Information Officer I – Kalinga