AGUSAN DEL NORTE, July 22, 2024 – Twenty-five (25) members of the San Antonio Farmers Organization (SAFO) received Php 1.79 million worth of livelihood interventions under the FY 2024 Abaca and Vegetable Production Projects of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga last June 28, 2024.
The distributed projects were intended to provide sustainable income opportunities for farmers, promote agricultural diversity, and enhance local economic stability.
Before receiving the intervention, farmers underwent training from SAAD Caraga on food production and livelihood, including training on vegetable production, pre- and post-harvest technology for abaca, marketing and enterprise development for abaca and vegetables, and social preparation training focused on values formation.
Table 1. Livelihood interventions received by SAFO under Abaca and Vegetable Production Project
| Interventions | Quantity | Unit of measure | Schedule of Delivery (2024) |
Total Cost (Php) |
| Abaca Planting Materials | 15,000 | pcs | July | 660,000.00 |
| Complete Fertilizer | 125 | bags | July | 375,000.00 |
| Ammonium Sulfate | 25 | bags | July | 68,750.00 |
| Herbicide | 75 | liter | July | 60,000.00 |
| Fungicide | 25 | kg | July | 21,250.00 |
| Insecticide | 25 | liter | August | 37,500.00 |
| Weighing Scale (Abaca) | 1 | unit | September | 48,000.00 |
| UV Plastic Shed | 1 | number | October | 300,000.00 |
| Vegetable Seeds | 125 | pack | July | 41,250.00 |
| Foliar Fertilizer | 25 | liter | September | 37,500.00 |
| Spring Onion | 25 | pack | September | 8,250.00 |
| Bulb Onion | 25 | pack | September | 3,490.00 |
| Specialized Training | 2 | number | conducted | 90,000.00 |
| Market-Related Training | 1 | number | conducted | 45,000.00 |
| Total | 1,795,990.00 |
The turnover ceremony led by the SAAD Caraga team, was attended by Remedios T. Romualdez Municipal Mayor Richard P. Daquipil, Municipal Agriculturist Maria Nenita T. Daohog, and San Antonio Barangay Captain Helario S. Sajolan; and provincial agriculture representatives.
SAFO President Oliver C. Taculayan, expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards the Program. “Daghang salamat sa DA-SAAD sa nadawat nga inputs, dako kaayo ni nga tabang sa mga mag-uuma sa pag expand sa abaca sa atong area. Labaw sa tanan ang kaalam nga gipadangat pinaagi sa mga trainings sama sa ensaktong pag atiman sa abaca, gulay ug pagpalambo sa organisasyon.”
(Thank you so much DA-SAAD for the inputs that we received, this is a big help for us farmers to expand our abaca production in the area. Above all, the knowledge imparted to us through training on proper care of abaca, vegetable, and organizational development.)
Mayor Daquipil further encouraged the farmers to be diligent and put effort into managing the projects provided by the DA. These interventions are expected to have a significant impact on the lives of the farmers and the organization.
Abaca project management
In abaca project management, the associations targeted 12.5 hectares of production area – each member allocated 0.5 hectares. While awaiting the 2026 harvest, the stripping machine is already operational, offering services to abaca farmers at a service fee of 20% for members and 25% for non-members. This additional income source contributes to the financial growth of the FAs.
Vegetable project management
In addition to abaca farming, each FA member also engages in individual backyard vegetable gardening while awaiting the abaca harvest to supplement their livelihood income. The delivery of vegetable seeds is expected within July 2024.
SAFO plans to act as a consolidator and engage in buying and selling abaca. With support from the DA-SAAD Program, the association continues to pursue its goals towards the prosperity of the organization and its members. ###
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