SOUTH COTABATO, November 7, 2024 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Soccsksargen has distributed 560 mallard ducks worth Php 306,320.00 to 4 FAs in Sultan Kudarat last October 2-3, 2024.

Among those four farmers’ associations (FAs) who received the interventions were Central Magumaya Bangsamoro Farmers Association in Lambayong, Kapaya United Farmers and Duck Raisers Association (KUFDRA) in Bagumbayan, Pansud Women’s Association in Lebak, and Lumitan High Value Crop Women’s Association in Palimbang.

Each of these 4 FAs received 140 ducks, consisting of 13 drakes (male ducks) and 127 hens (female ducks). This initiative is part of the SAAD’s Mallard Duck Production Project, which benefits 13 FAs across the region.

Aside from the ducks, each group also previously received 35 sacks of feed during the first tranche. Meanwhile, the second tranche is scheduled for distribution in November 2024 wherein 35 sacks worth Php 2000 each are to be distributed to the FAs.

Prior to the distribution, each group had already prepared proper housing, complete with access to a water source and secure shelters for the ducks. FA President of KUFDRA in Bagumbayan Rogelio David assures that he, together with the other members of the association, will not waste this opportunity given to them.

“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa SAAD Region 12 sa pagbibigay sa amin ng ganitong proyekto na tiyak na magsisilbing source of income para sa aming asosasyon. Tinitiyak po namin na magkakaroon kami ng kita mula rito at mapapalago at mapaparami pa namin ang mga mallard duck sa mga susunod na taon,” said Rogelio David, FA President of KUFDRA in Bagumbayan.

(I am thankful to SAAD Region 12 for providing us with this project, which will surely serve as a source of income for our association. We are committed to ensuring that we will generate income from this, and we will further grow and increase the number of mallard ducks in the coming years.) 

This initiative was part of the Program’s continuous support for sustainable agriculture in the province. With this, SAAD Soccsksargen expects that initiatives like this would help farmers increase their income and enhance food production within their communities, contributing to long-term agricultural resilience. ###

Writer: Jericho Jhon F. Palawan, SAAD IO-II