NEGROS ORIENTAL—Forty-seven (47) farmer-partners benefited from the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program’s draft animal turnover held at Sitio Bomba, Bagawinis, Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental on 10 September 2018.

Carabao (Bubalus Bubalis) is a commonly raised livestock. Farmers use carabao as draft in their farming system because it is an affordable and low-cost technology, and the investment can pay for itself in a short time period. It is also available locally and maintenance can be conducted by the farmers. After a carabao can no longer serve as a draft animal, it can become a source of meat and meat by-products.

Heading team SAAD Provincial Program Management Support Office (PPMSO) is Provincial Coordinator (PC) Mr. Jaypee Soldivillo. Co-organizing and facilitating the event is the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Vallehermoso headed by the Municipal Mayor Hon. Marianne S. Gustilo, along with the rest of the Sanggunian Bayan (SB) members. The Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) is also present, headed by Mr. Ronnie S. Gonzaga.

The fund for the said intervention is downloaded to the said LGU, while monitoring shall be done by the SAAD Area Coordinator in Vallehermoso, following the dispersal. ###

Writer: Ela Arciaga, SAAD NPMO PR & Communications Officer