MASBATE, August 4, 2022 – Full assistance for upland rice farmer-beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program’s in Masbate recorded a Php 110,000 income after the wet season harvest.
Masbate’s Danao Farmers’ Group Association (DAFARGA) gathered 52.8 metric ton (MT) palay harvest, producing 50 bags of milled rice. Their substantial earnings were results of their abundant yield made possible by the program’s Upland Rice Production Enterprise Development Package, which seeks to provide farmers with additional revenue and accessible food for household consumption through rice cultivation.
The 93-member farmers association (FA) is situated in Barangay Danao, Balud, Masbate. DAFARGA was chosen as a SAAD beneficiary in 2018. They received interventions amounting to Php 478,915.00 which included 135 bags of rice seeds (2-2-2), 135 bags of complete fertilizers, and one unit palay thresher benefitting members who are mostly dependent on farming and fishing as means of livelihood.
Rice production in rainfed areas
The SAAD program ensures to give assistance to rice farmers from the covered areas who are not beneficiaries of other programs of DA by providing apt agricultural inputs not only limited to rice seeds and fertilizers but also other farm inputs and machinery.
In a 106.5-hectare (ha) production area, where the members till 1-2ha each, rice seeds were simultaneously planted during the wet season from July to September 2021.
In December 2021, the group listed a combined palay harvest of 1,056 bags (50kg/bag). The farmers then allocated at least 2 to 3 bags for seed purposes while the remaining harvest were milled using the postharvest equipment (mobile rice mill) provided by the program.
Out of the 1,056 bags of fresh palay, the association milled a total of 663 bags in which 20 members were able to individually sell 50 bags of milled rice within their barangay for Php 2,200 each, giving them an income of Php 110,000. The remaining bags were left for the consumption of the members.
Table 1. DAFARGAs rice production recordDAFARGA president, Mr. Richard B, Candinato expressed his gratitude to SAAD for the agricultural interventions provided to their association.
“Dako-dako na pasalamat namon sa SAAD kay damo na gid sinda san nahatag na kaayuhan labi na sa machineries, dahil sani napamag-an an trabaho san farmers napadali an inda pagpatrabaho” (We are very thankful to SAAD because they have provided us with lots of assistance, especially the machinery. Because of this, farm operations have been made easier), said Mr. Candinato.
Plans for Enterprise Development
On November 24-25, 2021, SAAD provided the group with a training on rice production and enterprise development focused on rice management practices and strategies in rice farming to boost their production. The training also provided opportunities to farmers for enterprise development through value-adding activities which will help the members earn additional income.
“Nagapasalamat kami sa mga training kay damo sinda san naaraman, hindi lang sa pang-enterprise kundi sa pag-alaga san humay” (We are thankful for the training because they learned a lot, not only on enterprise development but also on the management of rice), shared Mr. Candinato.
Recalling the procedures demonstrated in the previously concluded training, some members started studying the production of value-added rice products such as puto, polvoron, and yema.
The association members are now preparing for their next cropping season and plan to utilize their areas during the dry season to plant other crops such as watermelon. ###
Writer: Jay A. Ogaya, DA-SAAD Masbate Information Officer
Source: DA-SAAD Masbate
Photos by: Charence A. Gueriba, DA-SAAD Masbate Area Coordinator
