MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL, May 6, 2020 – Twenty-one (21) individual farmers of the Municipality of Sapang Dalaga received from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 10, through its Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program 21 carabaos, which is part of the SAAD FY 2019’s Corn Production Project worth Php 585,900. The carabaos are intended to deliver farm inputs and cultivate lands in the upland areas where tractor cannot operate.

“Our municipality has high-sloping terrains where tractors cannot operate. So, we really opted for traditional farming by using these animals to plow our fields. And since COVID-19 started, our farmers began to worry, so these animals will really have a big impact on their food security,” said Ms. Marchita Intog, Municipal Agriculture Officer (MAO).

The distribution was led by Mayor Donjie D. Animas together with MAO – Marchita Intog; Provincial Operations Center (POC) Officer – Liezel Sios-e; and the Provincial Veterinary Officer – Dr. Ferl Marie Palangan.

“Timely” is what Ms. Intog said during the dispersal of the 21 heads of carabaos. Since Sapang Dalaga is known for its corn production, the dispersal of the animals will benefit the farmer-beneficiaries in plowing their lands. Before handing out the animals to identified farmer-beneficiaries, they were already inspected and tested as Brucella-free and Surra-free by Dr. Palangan, the veterinary officer in the province.

In case of rice shortage, Mayor Animas is confident that the municipality’s corn production can fill in the shortage as a substitute for rice.

At present, earlier sown corn are already at flowering stage and are expected to be harvested by the end of May 2020.

The SAAD Region 10, in partnership with the municipal local government unit, also encourages the community of Sapang Dalaga to exercise the DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program through the provision of 5-in-1 pinakbet seeds to walk-in clients. ###

Writer: Ruth Esther Bermundo, SAAD RPMSO 10 Information Officer