NORTHERN SAMAR, September 6, 2023 – To provide a sustainable income as part of the Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) component of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agriculture Development (DA-SAAD) Program, three (3) farmers ‘ associations (FAs) in Northern Samar, received a livelihood project worth of Php 2,172,919.50 under the SAAD Phase 1.
On June 8, 2023, seventy-three (73) FA members benefited in the Broiler Chicken, Taro, Vegetable Production and Marketing Project. The said farmers beneficiaries were from Cadean P4MP of Gamay municipality, with 23 members; the Jubasan Farmers Irrigators’ Association (JUFIA) in Mapanas municipality, with 25 members; and the Napo Corn Farmers Association in Palapag, with 25 members.
As part of this package of interventions, the FAs received marketing assistance and enterprise development support to become Community Based Entrepreneurs (CBEs).
Present during the turnover activities were the SAAD Regional and Provincial Program Management Support Offices, and representatives of 3 local government units (LGUs). As a result of the favorable conditions in the area, they primarily engaged in corn and vegetable production, coconut farming, and fishing.
When the SAAD Program conducted a Strategic Planning Workshop, the local government units’ Multi Year Plan guided the program in tailoring appropriate interventions for each association to enhance their income. To ensure the recipients’ preparedness to manage these interventions and attain sustainability, a brief orientation was held on June 8, 2023, led by Dr. Lyndonn Jake Cañas from the DA – Livestock Inspectorate Team.
Mr. Oliver N. Lipata, President of JUFIA, expressed gratitude for the livelihood project, emphasizing their commitment to making it prosperous.
“Gililipaye gud namon nga umabot na ine na proyekto ha amon. Diri nam ine kakaragan ngan amon ine papauswagon. Damo nga salamat ha SAAD Program” (We are really happy that this project is already here. We will not waste this and we will make it prosper. Thank you so much for the SAAD Program), said Mr. Lipata.
With the support of the DA-SAAD Program, these farmer groups envision a promising future. With their collaborative efforts and the livelihood grant, they aspire to uplift their lives from the marginalized sector, anticipating improved conditions and greater prosperity.
The delivered livelihood assistance is not only aimed at alleviating poverty and ensuring food security, but also transforming FAs into agri-businesses to help develop the country.###
Writer: Justine May A. Delloro, DA-SAAD Eastern Visayas, Information Officer
Source: SAAD Eastern Visayas-OPB ME and SAAD-Northern Samar PPMSO
