DAVAO REGION, April 2, 2024 – Shortly after undergoing training for abaca production, Dalupan Renewable Energy Community Development Association (DARECDA) of Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental and Dagohoy Abaca Farmers Association in Talaingod, Davao del Norte received 24,000 abaca plantlets to kickstart their communities’ abaca planting season this year.

DARECDA is a B’laan Indigenous Peoples (IPs) farmers’ association (FA) in Brgy. Dalupan, a remote and isolated barangay 12 kilometers away from the municipality’s center, while Dagohoy Abaca Farmers Association consists of Aeta-Manobo members. Fifty farmers represented the associations to receive the plantlets.

“Kami mapasalamaton labi na sa SAAD…kay hangtod karon, buhi ang asosasyon tungod sa suporta sa gobyerno,” said DARECA Chairperson Geniars Masayao. “Isip lider ani nga asosasyon, dalahon nami ni nga proyekto ug amoang paningkamotan nga ma-implementar siya among isig ka area.”

[We are thankful especially to SAAD…the association is thriving because of the government’s support. As a leader of this association, we will carry this project and strive to implement it in our own areas.]

The distributed abaca plantlets are Tangongon variety, seed-derived, and grown in coco coir. They are also hardened and acclimatized before distribution to ensure survivability upon planting.

Abaca production is preferred in highlands due to the crop’s nature. In recent years, Davao region has geared towards becoming a major producer through intensive production assistance to mostly IP communities living in mountainous parts of the region. In SAAD’s Phase 1 implementation in Davao Region, the program distributed abaca plantlets to Davao de Oro farmers.

This year, nine (9) FAs across 3 provinces of the region are set to receive SAAD’s abaca production project as each FA will receive the project’s package of 12,000 plantlets and fertilizers.

For the entirety of the project, SAAD Davao Region allotted an amount of Php 4,212,000. Later this year, the FAs will also receive fertilizers consisting of complete and ammonium sulfate to support the plants’ production capacity.

SAAD Davao Region also partnered with the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) to train the beneficiaries with technical and practical knowledge in abaca farming beforehand.

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#SAADPhase2 #DASAAD #DASAADDavaoRegion #OKKAAYO

Writer: James Brian Flaga, SAAD Davao Region PRDC

Photographer: Ronell Tangonan, SAAD Davao Region PRDC

Source: DA-SAAD Davao Region