MISAMIS ORIENTAL, July 25, 2023 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 granted two (2) hand tractors worth Php 416,000 to 25 farmers from Libertad, Misamis Oriental as part of a livelihood package under Vegetable Production Project addressing efficiency and increasing production geared at enterprise establishment.  

The recipients are members of the Pugaan-Tangkub Vegetables Farmers’ Association (PTVFA), cultivating an estimated land area of 16 hectares (ha) for vegetable and root crop production. They are residents of Barangay Pugaan-Tangkub in Libertad, an eligible municipality in Misamis Oriental. 

Under the Vegetable Production Project, vegetable growers received two (2) hand tractors with complete accessories amounting to Php 208,000 each. The rest of the agri-inputs, such as vegetable seeds (okra, ampalaya, squash, string beans, and eggplant), complete fertilizer, urea, herbicide, and insecticide, will be provided in the third quarter of 2023. 

The DA’s Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) conducted a machine inspection in May 2023, while an expert from the supplier of the hand tractors trained two members of the group on the operation and maintenance of the equipment. 

PTVFA is among the farmers’ associations identified by the SAAD Program covered under the Phase 2 implementation in Misamis Oriental for the years 2023 to 2028.

Based on the Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA) conducted by the SAAD Normin Area Coordinators, the Program identified vegetable production as one of the proposed projects for PTVFA as the group’s members have suitable areas and farming experience on various crops mainly produced in the province. With the hand tractors provided by DA-SAAD, farming is made easier and more efficient and can be utilized as multi-purpose farm machines for hauling and transporting goods.

PTVFA Agriculture Profile

Established in 2011, the members of the Pugaan-Tangkub Vegetables Farmers’ Association have been engaged in agricultural activities and mitigation practices such as vegetable farming, livestock raising, and tobacco production. Specifically, they are getting their income from selling chicken, swine, cattle, goat, assorted vegetables, and tobacco. 

For their additional source of income, some of them have small general merchandise stores, and others work as laborers or habal-habal drivers.  

To address agri-related concerns, which include scarce water supply and harvest halting, as well as promote sustainable and advanced agricultural practices in their community, PTVFA considered doing agricultural diversification (which includes growing livestock in addition to field crops) while adopting modern technologies. 

They also aim for continuous education and training on related and effective agricultural practices which can help increase yield and prevent harvest pauses, reduce environmental impacts like degradation of soil, and enhance the livelihood of the farmers through improved methodologies. These shall help them achieve more stable farming systems, improving soil quality for more food production. ###

Writer: Jo Ann Sablad, DA-SAAD Region 10 Information Officer