DAVAO OCCIDENTAL, April 30, 2024 – Eighty-seven (87) upgraded goats were distributed to two farmers associations (FAs) in Davao Occidental under the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program’s upgraded goat project.

Lingkasa Farmers Association in the municipality of Jose Abad Santos received 44 goats, while 43 goats were doled out to Dalupan Renewable Energy Community Development Association (DARECDA) in Don Marcelino last April 11 and 12, respectively.

“Tungod sa SAAD, nabuhi amoang paglaum nga mas mulambo pa amoang asosasyon. Paningkamotan namo ni nga palamboon ug mulahutay aron makaabot mi sa hiniusang kalamboan,” Geniars Masayao, chairperson for DARECDA, said.

[Because of SAAD, our hopes for the association to prosper lived on. We’ll strive for this to succeed, so that there’s a united development.]

An upgraded goat is the offspring from pairing the native breed with a meat type goat breed like Boer. This is to ensure that the resulting ruminant has the hardiness to survive the local weather conditions and marketability for liveweight selling.

This year, SAAD Davao Region will distribute additional upgraded goats to six more FAs throughout the region. The upgraded goat project is paired with a singular crop intervention, mainly corn, abaca, or various vegetable production projects.

“Padaghanon sa jud unta nila para mas mulambo ning proyektoha. Ang kanding, dali kaayo ibaligya. Kung mapadaghan nila, naa silay kakwaan ug dali nga kwarta,” Elvin Elano, Senior Admin Assistant II for SAAD Davao Region, said.

[We hope that they’ll sustain this project. Goats are easy to sell. If they can increase the number in their herd, this is an avenue for extra income.]

Should there be deaths within seven days of acclimatization of the goats in the areas, SAAD Davao Region ensured that the beneficiaries are entitled to a replacement ruminant. ###

Writer: James Brian Flaga, SAAD Davao Region PRDC

Photographer: Ronell Tangonan, SAAD Davao Region PRDC

Source: DA-SAAD Davao Region