LA UNION, July 24, 2024 – Two hundred ten (210) farmers in the Ilocos Region have benefited from Php7.2 million worth of livestock projects under the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2.

Beneficiaries from seven (7) SAAD-assisted groups received livelihood interventions through separate turnover ceremonies held in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur from May to June, this year. The project comprised 120 upgraded heifers for fattening and 90 upgraded goats for breeding to augment farmers’ income.

Recipients of the cattle production project were the PhilLead Farmers’ Association (45 members), Taripnong Dagiti Mannalon ti Barangay Lapting (40 members), Paratong Farmers’ Association (43 members), and Virbira Tribal Zanjera Farmers’ Association (53 members) in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Meanwhile, the Cabanasan Irrigators’ Association (45 members), Bulig Hog Growers’ Association (38 members), and Barangay Sto. Rosario Farmers’ Association (34 members) in the same provinces received goats.

SAAD Focal Person Lorena Olveña stated that some beneficiaries engaged in cattle fattening have sold part of their stock to purchase new cattle and boost income, while others focused on cattle breeding for multiplication.

“Cattle and goat production offer distinct advantages to rural households in the Ilocos Region. Cattle provide a steady income through meat and serve as draft animals for agricultural tasks. Goats, known for their adaptability and rapid reproduction, offer a quicker return on investment,” said Olveña.

To ensure sustainability, the livestock will be distributed among members, and their offspring will be passed on to new beneficiaries. Aside from the animals, farmers also received other farm inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers.

“Maragsakankami la unay ta naawatmin dagitoy baka a taraknenmi a kas asosasion. Agyamankami la unay iti SAAD ta agtultuloy ti panangsuportada kadakami sipud pay idi damo agingga kadagiti training ken uray ita nga addan dagiti dingoen. Sapay koma ta adu pay ti matulunganda nga asosasion a kas kadakami,” said Edita B. Turon, President of Virbira Tribal Zanjera Farmers’ Association form Carasi, Ilocos Norte. 

(I feel happy because we have already received the cattle and we are eager to take good care of them as an association. I thank SAAD for continuously supporting us since the beginning of the program up to the training, and until now that the cattle have already been distributed. I hope that more farmers and associations like us will benefit from SAAD.)

SAAD implementers, together with local government officials and Municipal Agriculture Office personnel, oversaw the turnover ceremonies, ensuring that the cattle and goats were vaccinated and dewormed before distribution to the beneficiary associations. 

###

Writer: Pearl Lovedyn A. Dacuag, DA-SAAD Region I Information Officer