DAVAO ORIENTAL, July 5, 2024 –  To support the province’s rehabilitation after damages from the shear line weather pattern in the first quarter of 2024, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) program expedited the distribution of upgraded goats to three Indigenous People (IP) farmer associations in three different municipalities in the province last May 1.

These three IP FAs were Bongcuan Community Integrated Farmers Association in Boston, Aliwagwag IP Farmers and Aquaculture Development Association in Cateel, and Sergio Osmeña Anti-Communist Brigade Agrivet Association (SOACBAFA) in Governor Generoso, who each received 43 upgraded goats consisting of 5 bucks, 38 does, as well as various veterinary drugs worth more than Php 3.8M.

The upgraded goats project was paired with a crop-based intervention to be received by the FAs later this year. These include abaca plantlets for Bongcuan Community Integrated FA, hybrid corn for Aliwagwag IP Farmers and Aquaculture Development Association, and upland vegetables for SOACBAFA.

The offspring from pairing the native breed with a meat type goat breed like Anglo-Nubian or Boer, an upgraded goat typically pose better survivability with the region’s weather conditions especially in hinterland areas without compromising its liveweight selling potential. In Davao Region, live weight per kilo of chevon goes for Php250-300.

Earlier this year, Davao Oriental experienced torrential rains that affected nearly 45,000 families and accumulated more than Php27M in agricultural damages. The fast tracking of the said distribution came at the right time to help SAAD beneficiaries from this calamity.

“Nakita man nato, sa akong mga kaubanan no, nga ang gisaad sa SAAD, natuman. Salamat kaayo sa mga naningkamot nga mahitabo ni, bisan sa kalisod sa dalan, lapok kaayo. Hinaot unta…ato ning mapalungtad,” said Aliwagwag IP Farmers and Aquaculture Development Association Vice-Chairperson Artemio Pasagi.

[To our members, we’ve already seen it: what was promised, came. We are grateful to those who strived to make this happen, no matter how difficult the muddy road is. We hope that this can be sustained.]

Most members of Bongcuan Community Integrated FA and Aliwagwag IPFADA are Mandaya Indigenous Peoples, while SOACBAFA boasts of Mandaya, Mansaka, and Muslim mix. 

The distribution in SOACBAFA was particularly challenging, as SAAD Davao Region, municipal and provincial government staff, as well as a team from the Armed Forces of the Philippines 66th IB, trekked upstream under torrential rains to situate the ruminants.

For Aliwagwag IPFADA, the municipal government took the responsibility to build the association’s goat shed for communal purposes. SOACBAFA also followed the same route.

“Pinasahi atoang programa kay ang makadawat sa atong mga programa kani sila ang mga farmers nga dili, or wala nakadawat sa atong mga regular programs. Tumong ug tinguha sa SAAD nga makatabang sa kinabuhian sa atong maguuma sa mga hilagyong dapit,” emphasized Naomi Lamata, Alternate Assistant Focal for SAAD Davao Region, in her speech to the farmers of Aliwagwag IP Farmers and Aquaculture Dev’t Association’s goat distribution and inauguration of goat shed.

[Our program is special because those who would receive it are farmers who are, and can not receive from the regular banner programs. It is SAAD’s purpose and goal to help farmers in far-flung areas increase their means of income.]

Rounding out the program’s upgraded goats project, three more FAs in the province received the same implements before May 2024 ended.

Writer: James Brian Flaga, SAAD Davao Region PRDC

Photographer: Ronell Tangonan, SAAD Davao Region PRDC

Source: DA-SAAD Davao Region