DAVAO OCCIDENTAL, May 2, 2024 – Twenty five (25) Indigenous People’s farmers of Blaan and Manobo descent under the Lingkasa Farmers Association in Jose Abad Santos received 44 upgraded goats from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development Program last April 11.

The distribution is part of the program’s pilot livelihood projects for the group. The upgraded goats are offspring from pairing native and any meat-type breeds like Anglo-Nubian and Boer. These offsprings pose better commercial yields liveweight-wise when sold, and possess stronger climate survival rates.

“Kami nagpasalamat nga nahatagan og panginabuhian isip mag-uuma…dako na kaayo ning tabang kanamo. Ang proyekto na amoang nadawat dako nga oportunidad para namo,” said association Chairperson Mercedita Aguelo.

[We are grateful to have been given this livelihood as farmers…this is a big help for us. This project that we’ve received is an opportunity.]

The association constitutes one of the 14 additional farmers groups added to the existing 14 FAs benefitted by SAAD Davao Region. In the municipality of Jose Abad Santos, the program now serves two separate farmers groups.

Aside from the upgraded goats, the association is also set to receive the program’s vegetable production project later this year. 

“Unta ampingan nila ang mga proyekto aron mulambo ang ilang association ug maabot ang gusto ni SAAD na makapatindog sila ug CBE gikan sa atong mga panghatag,” Aniel Balorio, SAAD Davao Region’s Community Development Officer II for the municipality, said. 

[I’m hoping that they’ll ensure the project’s success so that it’ll reflect on their association and they’ll establish a CBE from what we’ve given to them.]

SAAD Davao Region banks on the FAs to create community-based enterprises (CBEs) out of the livelihood projects delivered by the program. 

###

Writer: James Brian Flaga, SAAD Davao Region PRDC

Photographer: Ronell Tangonan, SAAD Davao Region PRDC

Source: DA-SAAD Davao Region