SOCSKSARGEN, August 19, 2020 – Despite the COVID-2019 pandemic, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program in Region 12 distributed agricultural livelihood interventions for FY 2020 to beneficiaries of Sarangani and Cotabato provinces.

50 hectares Upland Rice Production Project – Sarangani Province 

Fifty (50) Indigenous People (IP) farmers in Small Margus, Glan were given 100 bags of upland rice seeds, 200 bottles of foliar fertilizers, and training under the Upland Rice Production Project with a total amount of Php 355,000.00. Each beneficiary received two bags of seeds and four bags of fertilizer. 

During the event, Provincial Agriculturist Technician Mr. Jetro Molana encouraged the farmers to preserve their traditional practices but also taught them strategies to improve their planting methods. He also parted knowledge on making and using organic pesticide. 

Pastor Garcia Guardson led the Values Formation Training and he said, “I encourage everyone to improve their livelihood, especially in this time of crisis. You are blessed because of the SAAD Program and I hope you always thank the Lord for the blessings you receive. Thank God because He used the government, through the SAAD Program, to be an instrument of hope for the farmers.”

55 hectares Conventional Hybrid Corn and Vegetable Production Project – Cotabato Province

A total worth of Php 573,000.00 for Conventional Hybrid Corn and Vegetable Production Project was distributed to 55 farmers in Barangay Buanan (20 individual farmers), Barangay Nalapaan (18 individual farmers), and Barangay Sitio Buanan (17 individual farmers) in the municipality of Pikit to cover 55 hectares of land. 

Each beneficiary received a bag of conventional hybrid corn seeds, two bags of urea, two bags of complete fertilizer, two packs of OPV pinakbet seeds, and two packs of OPV sinigang seeds. 

The distribution of the SAAD North Cotabato and SAAD Sarangani teams is in cooperation with the Office of Provincial Agriculturist, Municipal Agriculture Offices, and the concerned municipal and barangay local government units, with the proper observation and safety prevention protocols for the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the distribution, Bai Mimbay K. Alagasi, one of the farmer-beneficiaries said, “Maraming salamat po at dumating sa amin ang matagal na naming minimithing mga seeds galing sa DA-SAAD. Malaking tulong ito sa aming mga mamamayan dahil may mapagkukunan na kami ng pagkain para sa aming pamilya. Kahit nasa pandemya pa tayo ay naihatid at naibigay ninyo pa rin sa amin ang mga seeds. Sana po tuloy tuloy pa din ang pag tulong ninyo sa amin dito sa Pikit. Maraming salamat po DA-SAAD XII”. 

Writers:

Jemiema Arro, PR and Communication officer

Mark Anthony Marfe, SAAD-RPMSO Staff