MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL, December 19, 2023 – Six (6) farmer associations (FAs) in Misamis Occidental assisted by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) under Phase 2 program implementation underwent concoction-making as a followup activity under the Bio-Intensive Agricultural Production Training conducted last September in preparation for their respective project turnovers in 2024.

Twenty-five (25) farmers from each of the 6 FAs received a one-day hands-on training on concoction-making in October and November. The participating FAs are the Punta Sulong SAAD Beneficiaries Association, Maligubaan Farmers’ Association, Gandawan Strawberry Growers Association, San Roque SAAD Swine Growers Association, Salimpuno SAAD sa Mag-uuma Association, and San Isidro Bajo Sinacaban SAAD Farmers’ Association (Table 1).

These FAs are among the farmers’ associations identified by the SAAD Program covered under the Phase 2 implementation in Misamis Occidental from 2023 until the year they could establish their community-based enterprise (before or in 2028).

The resource person during the activity was Ms. Necifin Cagaanan, a retired organic coordinator from the Provincial Agriculture Office and currently the president of the Misamis Occidental Organic Agriculture Association. She is also an advocate and practitioner of organic farming.Table 1. List of SAAD Phase 2 that completed Concoction-Making Training in Misamis Occidental

The training was conducted to upgrade the FAs’ production knowledge and skills, particularly in creating alternative and safer options for fertilizers and pesticides in replacement of chemicals.

Each FA was able to create fermented fruit juice, fermented plant juice, and fish amino acid, which will be used as foliar fertilizers and vitamins for animals; Calcium Phosphate or CaPhos for poultry and foliar fertilizer for crops; lactic acid for good digestion for animals; and oriental herb nutrients as organic pesticide and antibiotic/dewormer.

SAAD Northern Mindanao Phase 2 assists a total of 26 FAs from the four provinces in the region, namely: Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte and Camiguin. Of the 26 FAs, 6 of them are from the 6 municipalities of Misamis Occidental.

Under SAAD Phase 2, Misamis Occidental FAs are set to received Enhanced HVC Production Project for Gandawan Strawberry Growers Association; Integrated Poultry, Corn and HVC Production Project for San Roque SAAD Swine Growers Association and Maligubaan Farmers’ Association; Integrated Corn and HVC Production Project for San Isidro Bajo Sinacaban SAAD Farmers’ Association; Integrated Poultry and HVC Production Project for Punta Sulong SAAD Beneficiaries Association; and Integrated Livestock and HVC Production Project for Salimpuno SAAD sa Mag-uuma Association. ###

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