SURIGAO DEL NORTE, August 10, 2023 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 in Caraga distributed two (2) units of forage choppers to 53 goat production beneficiaries in Pilar and Sta Monica, Surigao Del Norte.
Materials to assist farmers in their chosen livelihood grant are delivered on a staggered basis to gradually prepare them for operation, prior to animal inputs (1 buck, 10 does) arrival this month. The fuel-operated forage choppers worth Php 399,000 each were accepted by the Consolacion Goat Raisers Association (25 members) in Pilar; and Bailan Farmer Entrepreneurs’ Association (28 members) in Sta. Monica. The said equipment will be used for feeding small ruminants.
In July, the goat house was completed by the group members where materials are included in the livelihood grant, along with drugs, biologics, forage seeds, and relevant training. The Program allocated Php 2,291,090 for the two project sites, which will be managed communally.Table 1. FY 2023 Goat Production Project inputs received by Surigao Del Norte FAs
|
Municipality |
FA | Members | Inputs |
Project Cost |
| Pilar | Consolacion Goat Raisers Association (COGORA) | 25 | Goats, drugs and biologics, cyclone wire, forage seeds, disposable syringe, forage chopper, vegetable seeds, housing, training |
1,145,700.00 |
| Santa Monica | Bailan Farmer Entrepreneurs’ Association (BAFEA) | 28 | Goats, drugs and biologics, cyclone wire, forage seeds, forage chopper, vegetable seeds, housing, training |
1,145,390.00 |
|
Total |
2,291,090.00 |
|||
During the Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA) conducted by the Program in March this year, goat production emerged among the projects preferred by the groups since some members have experience raising goats. Moreover, the demand for live goats in the locale is also high among local restaurants on the island, which the group members consider a huge income potential.
To improve knowledge in goat raising, the Program also conducted Goat Production Training among members of the two FAs in June this year, covering topics on feeding and nutrition, disease prevention, and record keeping. Ms. Jessica G. Nanong-Rosete, DVM, Agricultural Center Chief of the Provincial Veterinary Office-Surigao del Norte, served as the training resource person.
To ensure the said units meet the set standard specifications, on July 31, personnel from the DA-Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) conducted acceptance testing at DA-Integrated Laboratory Division-Taguibo, Butuan City.
After testing, Program staff delivered the units to the project sites on August 1, which included an operation demonstration among farmer recipients. ###
Writer: Mark Angelo C. Pineda, Information Officer, DA-SAAD Caraga
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