OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, June 22, 2022 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) awarded Php 1,106,856 worth of planting materials to 116 indigenous people and Tagalog beneficiaries to boost corn production of farmers in the newly identified area.

Nearing conclusion, the DA-SAAD MIMAROPA hopes to maximize the program by expanding areas and accommodating new beneficiaries that will receive livelihood provisions, extension services, and technical support. In 2022, 26 livelihood projects are in the pipeline for the two (2) newly covered municipalities that are projected to assist 751 new farmers in OccMin.

One of the expansion areas is Sablayan, a first-class municipality and the largest in Occidental Mindoro. It is home to Alangan and Tau-Buhid-Mangyan, where locals do farming and fishing as major sources of income, utilizing the coastal areas and wide agricultural lands. Aside from rice, corn is one of the major crops grown in the lowlands of the municipality.

The Alangan-Mangyan corn farmers of Samahan ng Katutubo Magsasaka sa Kulasisi at Kumiray (SAKAMAKU) with 56 members will benefit from 74 sacks of Hybrid Yellow Corn seeds and three (3) units of pump and engine for their production in an estimated land area of 50 hectares of corn plantation.

Meanwhile, 73 bags of corn seeds and three units of pump and engine were awarded to Cigaras Irrigators Farmers Association (CIFA) consisting of 60 Tagalog farmers cultivating a cumulative area of 80ha, also for corn production.

Table 1. Interventions awarded to SAKAMAKU and CIFA FY 2022

CIFA was registered as a legitimate association under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in 2017 and SAKAMAKU in 2019. SAAD consulted with Sablayan LGU in 2021 to identify suitable livelihood projects for farmers in the municipality.

In 2022, both associations were identified to be part of the SAAD program’s expansion in the province along with other newly-formed groups in Sablayan and Calintaan.

According to Mr. Oliver B. Cosme, SAAD Area Coordinator of Sablayan, the delivery of seeds was timely for the planting season. Farmers have started land preparation while others just finished theirs, waiting for seeds. The intervention includes a pump and engine machine addressing the need for consistent water sources for the farmers’ cultivation.

Mr. Romulo Ramos, Chairperson of CIFA expressed his gratitude as it was the association’s first time receiving farm equipment, “Ito ang unang beses na nakatanggap kami ng makina. Matagal na kaming hirap sa patubig dahil umaasa lang kami sa buhos ulan saka sa ilog. Malaking tulong ito para sa amin.”

(This is the first time that we have received farm machinery. Irrigation has been difficult for us because we only rely for rain and the river for water supply. [The equipment] will be helpful for our group).

The Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA) of Sablayan assisted with the turnover activity headed by the Municipal Agriculturist Mr. Reynaldo Factor and staff.

Preparations for corn production training and other capacity-building activities for the new beneficiaries are ongoing.

Members of SAKAMAKU and CIFA are situated in Brgy. Batong Buhay and Brgy. Ilvita which are identified as End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) areas in Occidental Mindoro.

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Writer: Dianne Francis A. Sy, SAAD Information Officer I

Source: Oliver B. Cosme, SAAD Area Coordinator – Sablayan