COTABATO, March 25, 2022 – Fourteen farmers’ associations (FA) in Cotabato received Php 1.4 million worth of various livelihood projects from the Department of Agriculture Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program during the simultaneous distribution from March 10 to 23.
Carabao and Cattle Dispersal Projects (Php 1,321,080) were accepted by 12 FAs (196 members) from Alamada, Aleosan, Kidapawan City, President Roxas, Libungan, Midsayap, Pikit, Antipas, Kabacan, Makilala, and M’lang.
The issued large ruminants (18 carabaos, 24 cattle) were inspected and tested with Brucella and Surra, dewormed, and vaccinated against Hemorrhagic Septicema. The animals will help in their farming activities like land preparation and hauling of crops.
For Vegetable Production Project (Php 8,863.08), the Sitio New Alimodian Peace and Development FA was provided with 60 packs of pinakbet seeds for their 2,000 square meters communal garden. The 20 members are from Tulunan.
The Masagana FA with 25 members received 40 bags of hybrid corn seeds to cover 20 hectares.Table 1. Cotabato FAs who received various livelihood projects
| Farmers’ Associations | Location | Project | Inputs | Project Cost (Php) |
| March 10, 2022 | ||||
| Sitio New Alimodian Peace and Development FA (20 members) |
Sitio Alimodian, Banayal, Tulunan | Vegetable Production | 60 packs of pinakbet seeds | 8,863.08 |
| Masagana FA (25 members) |
Barangiran, Alamada | Corn Production | 40 bags of hybrid corn seeds | 159,999.06 |
| March 22, 2022 | ||||
| Pigcawayan, Pikit, Libungan, Aleosan, Midsayap Bull Handles association (10 members) |
New Leon, Aleosan | Carabao Dispersal | 3 carabaos | 90,900.00 |
| Samahan ng mga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries at Magsasaka ng Barangay Gayola (10 members) |
Gayola, Kidapawan City | Cattle Dispersal | 4 cattle | 129,280.00 |
| Hervilla Memorial Communal Irrigation System, Inc. (10 members) |
Poblacion, President Roxas | Cattle Dispersal | 4 cattle | 129,280.00 |
| Kapayawi Rural FA (10 members) |
Kapayawi, Libungan | Carabao Dispersal | 3 carabaos | 90,900.00 |
| Upper Bulanan FA (10 members) |
Upper Bulanan, Midsayap | Cattle Dispersal | 4 cattle | 129,280.00 |
| Balabak FA (10 members) |
Balabak, Pikit | Cattle Dispersal | 4 cattle | 129,280.00 |
| Paidu Pulangi Fisherfolks and FA (10 members) |
Paidu Pulangi, Pikit | Carabao Dispersal | 3 carabaos | 90,900.00 |
| Gumay FA (10 members) |
Camutan, Antipas | Carabao Dispersal | 3 carabaos | 90,900.00 |
| Pisan Organic Vegetable FA (10 members) | Pisan, Kabacan | Carabao Dispersal | 3 carabaos | 90,900.00 |
| Poblacion FA (10 members) |
Poblacion, Makilala | Cattle Dispersal | 4 cattle | 129,280.00 |
| March 23, 2022 | ||||
| M’lang Transplanter and Harvester Organization FA (45 members) |
Dugong, M’lang | Cattle Dispersal | 4 cattle | 129,280.00 |
| F. Cajelo FA (51 members) |
F. Cajelo, Tulunan | Carabao Dispersal | 3 carabaos | 90,900.00 |
| Total | 1,489,942.14 | |||
Tatay Delrio Beltran of the Pisan Organic Vegetable FA shared how grateful they are for the carabao provided to them.
“Daghang salamat sa SAAD sa ilahang hinabang sa amua. Tungod niini, hinay-hinay nga naga-lambo ang amuang panginabuhi. Kining mga karabaw dako gyud nga tabang sa amuang mga trabaho sa bukid.”
(Thank you SAAD for your assistance. This will help us improve our livelihood activities. The carabao will really help us on the farm.)
Tatay Peter Hervilla, Cattle beneficiary from Hervilla Memorial Communal Irrigation System, Inc., also expressed his appreciation for the program.
“Taos-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa SAAD, sa inyong tulong na naipa-abot po dito sa aming barangay, sa aming asosasyon. Napakalaking tulong po nito para sa aming mga magsasaka. Mahirap lamang po kami, kaya naman ‘di po namin kayang bumili ng mga baka, at dahil po sa tulong ninyo, ito na po, nagkaroon na po kami ng baka sa aming asosasyon. Sobrang gamit na gamit po itong mga baka sa aming pagsasaka. Maraming-maraming salamat po.”
(Our heartfelt gratitude to SAAD for providing assistance to our barangay and our association. This is a big advantage to us farmers. We don’t have enough money to buy cattle but because of SAAD, our association now has some which are very useful in our farming activities. Thank you very much.)
The distribution was facilitated by SAAD 12 Deputy Focal Person Elma Delante and provincial staff, in coordination with the 12 local government units (LGUs).
SAAD will continue its support to the beneficiaries through constant field visits and monitoring. ###
Writers:
Jennifer Valcobero, SAAD NPMO Public Relation and Comms Officer
Aisa Tina, SAAD 12 Information Officer
