APAYAO, May 5, 2022 – The Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program granted stock inputs from the Enhancement of Sheep and Goat Production projects worth Php 550,000 benefitting 168 livestock raisers in Apayao as a continued effort to enhance goat and sheep production in the province.
The Calaoan Farmers Association (CFA), Upstream Livelihood Farmers Association (ULFA), Swan, Lydia, Dona Loreta Farmers Association (SLDFA), and PaCoMarNuSan Farmers Association, received nine (9) rams and two (2) bucks under the said livestock projects under the FY 2022 fund. These sheep and goats aged 8-12 months old will be raised for breeding enterprise.
The FAs who accepted the small ruminants are from the Municipalities of Conner, Luna, Pudtol, and Sta. Marcela (Table 1).
Table 1. Intervention Provided to Four Farmers Associations
Previous projects acquired
Before the enhancement of inputs distribution, the four associations received 322 small ruminants (169 sheep, 153 goats) from 2017 to 2021. The stocks were provided to the beneficiaries as a result of the community consultations, where the dialogue reveals farmers opting for goats and sheep raising because of feasibility, relatively manageable maintenance, and available market, especially during occasions.
The beneficiaries attested that they are now selling the stock in their community, especially during the holiday season.
“Pasaray nu makalako kami ket Christmas season, new year. Ti kuna dagituy buyers ket nagbalin nga practices dan iti agluto iti karne karnero nu birthday, kasar wenu bunyag” (Often, we have strong sales during the Christmas season or New Year. Buyers used to say that it has been their practice to prepare lamb for their meals during their special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or baptism), attests Ms. Maxima Camayang, ULFA’s President.
In 2021, the program provided training such as Farmers Livestock School to enhance the skills and capacity of the farmers in managing their project according to Mr. Roniel Dugay, DA-SAAD’s Project Development Officer.
Key Results
The first-in-line beneficiaries increased their sheep stocks to 80 head during the 5-year project operation. Moreover, according to Mr. Garry Tinguey, Community Development Officer of Conner, the FA’s livestock are still in the gestation period.
In his message, Serapio Ulabu, SAAD Provincial Coordinator, urged the beneficiaries to embark on a multiplier farm.
“Dagituy nga naited ket tapno matulungan iti association nga mapalago iti production da. Tapnun nu kasta ket magabanan dan tun iti enough nga supply nga mabalin pag- business’an” (These animal stocks were provided to help the association strengthen its production. So that they could also produce enough supply for their business endeavors), said Mr. Ulabu.
SAAD Apayao, in partnership with the Local Government Units (LGUs), will be in touch with the association officers through field monitoring and evaluation to ensure the needs of animal stocks.
Before the program ends, the Provincial Project Management Support Office (PPMSO) in partnership with the Municipal Local Government Units of the province will promote and link the FAs to other agencies such as the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for additional technical training in marketing. ###
Writer: Kathleen Faye B. Agonoy, Information Officer I, Province of Apayao
