DAVAO DE ORO, May 2, 2022 – SAAD Region 11 kickstarted specialized training for corn, duck and chicken raisers from three farmers associations (FA) in the municipalities of Mabini and Pantukan, Davao de Oro.

Sixty (60) farmers from Libudon United Farmers Association (LUFA) from Libudon, Mabini, the Tagduanga Upland Farmers Association (TUFA) from Tagdangua, Pantukan, and the Lawaan Kingking Farmers Association (LKFA) from Kingking, Pantukan received specialized training on corn planting, mallard duck rearing, and chicken raising from the program’s 2022 livelihood provisions. These areas are Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) and End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) areas.

The series of training will cover 45 previously identified FAs in Davao de Oro and will be completed by the end of May.

“Di na ni bag-o sa atoa. Ang SAAD, before manghatag sa mga animal- ug crop-based nato nga interventions, mag-training jud ta. Ang tumong ani, para mahan-ay ang mga beneficiary ug matudluan sila ug tarong nga mga pamaagi sa pagpalambo sa ilahang mga proyekto,” Naomi Lamata, Regional Focal Person for SAAD 11, said.

(This is not new to us. Here in SAAD, before we dole out our animal- and crop-based interventions, we’ll train. The purpose of which is that we’ll streamline our beneficiaries and for them to be able to learn the ways to sustain and develop their projects.)

The program tapped local experts from the FAs’ Municipal Agriculturist’s Offices for the specialized training sessions. It included best management practices across all livelihood projects, as well as ideas for community-based enterprise (CBE) development.

As SAAD closes out its Phase 1 of implementation, the program is hyper-focused on turning capable FAs into CBEs while providing technical support to existing ones.

 “Salamat sa paghatag ug panahon sa amoa,” Simeon Buñag, Libudon United Farmers Association (LUFA) chair, enthused. “Kani inyohang gihimo, makatabang jud sa amoa sa mga projects nga ipanghatag. Ang inyohang ihatag, amoa jung ampingan ug palamboon.”

(We are thankful for the time you’ve given to us. What you’ve done will help us on the projects which will be given. We will take care of it, and sustain it.”)

LUFA is set to receive upgraded goats and corn production projects, while TUFA and LKFA will receive native chicken, mallard duck, and corn production projects. The program targets for these FAs to receive said interventions on or before August this year.

More than livelihood projects, SAAD prioritizes capacity enhancement for the FAs after entering the program. These specialized training sessions are given to promote the sustainability of the project among its members.

SAAD Region 11 allocated more than Php 2 million for the training of its 45 FA-beneficiaries this year. ###

Writer: James Brian R. Flaga, SAAD RPMSO 11 Information Officer
Source: DA-SAAD Davao de Oro