DAVAO DE ORO, December 19, 2022 – In a continuous bid to promote community-based enterprises (CBEs) among its beneficiaries, the Department of Agriculture Region 11 through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program grants three (3) chicken coops to three (3) Dabawenyo Farmers’ Associations (FAs).

The Aguinaldo Farmers Association (AGFA) in Laak, Davao National Agricultural School (DNAS) Agrarian Reform Banana (ARB) FA in Montevista, and Barangay Anitapan Improvement Community and Farmers Association (BAICFA) in Mabini each received the housing component worth Php 702,174.36. The small infrastructure project, sized 6 meters by 7 meters, cost a little more than Php 2.1 million in entirety. 

“Ang SAAD namugna tungod sa tumong nga walay lumulupyo sa Pilipinas ang magutman…gipaabot ang programa alang sa dugang panginabuhian ngadto sa atong maguuma nga lisod maabot sa regular nga programa sa panggoberyorno ilabi na sa agrikultura”(SAAD was formed because of the thrust that no resident in the Philippines should experience hunger…the program was implemented to add income to our farmers who are otherwise difficult to reach through the regular programs of our government through the Agriculture sector), Ms. Naomi Lamata, SAAD Region 11 Focal Person said.

In Anitapan, a Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) and End Local Community Armed Conflict (ELCAC) area in the municipality of Mabini, BAICFA chairperson Reynaldo Onsing echoed SAAD’s thrust saying, “Biyaan man mi sa SAAD karong tuiga, luag kaayo sa paminaw nga nahatagan mi sa gobyerno ug mga proyekto. Dato na ko sa akong paminaw bisag way kwarta kay kana bitawng mahatagan tag tabang, luag kaayo akoang gininhawaan, perting hayahaya” (SAAD may leave us this year, but it’s a good feeling because the government gave us projects. Even without money, we feel rich because with government help, we’re spoiled.)

Mr. Onsing, of Mansaka indigenous people descent, led BAICFA to several SAAD and other government projects. The FA, comprised mostly of IP,  was poured more than Php 1 million from SAAD alone this year. The turnover was also attended by the Charlie company of 25th Infantry Battalion led by 2nd Lieutenant John Andrew Gloriani which helped organized the group from the ground up.

Native Chicken Production Project

The housing component formed part of SAAD’s native chicken project, where 18 FAs across all 11 municipalities of the province received 320 native chicken, 50 sacks of 50 kilograms (kg) feeds, 30 pieces waterer, and 150 pieces of egg trays. 

Fifteen (15) out of the 18 FAs will get incubators as an additional component to future-proof the project. The incubators are currently under testing to ensure hatching rates before distribution. SAAD RPMSO 11 targets distribution within the first quarter of next year. 

“Kami sa asosasyon nagpasalamat jud sa SAAD nga kanunay ang suporta. Gumikan na sa pagpaningkamot sa tanan. Among ipasalig nga tanan namo nga nadawat, amoang paningkamotan nga mapalambo aron makita sa SAAD ilahang kahago” (We as an association are thankful to SAAD for the continued support. This is due to everyone’s initiative. We commit to take good care of what we’ve received, and will endeavor to improve so that SAAD staff’s effort won’t be in vain), AGFA Chairperson Fernando Mamolo, said. 

A total of Php 8.3 million was spent for the entirety of the native chicken production project in Davao de Oro. ###

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