COTABATO, September 10, 2020 -The Department of Agriculture (DA) – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Region 12 always tries to  fulfill its mission to uplift the farmers’ lives from poverty with livelihood programs, despite the pandemic people are facing nowadays. They conducted distribution of livelihood project interventions for goat, duck, and corn production for FYs 2019 and 2020 in the municipalities of Banisilan and Kabacan.

Banisilan, Cotabato

Forty-two (39 female and 3 male) upgraded Anglo Nubian goats with a total worth of Php 713,460.00 were distributed to 3 farmers’ associations (FAs), namely; Puting Bato Farmers’ association (from Brgy. Puting Bato with 25 members); Poblacion 2 MRDP CFAD Farmers’ association (from Brgy. Poblacion 2 with 25 members); and Paradise Farmers’ association (from Brgy. Paradise with 25 members) in the municipality of Banisilan, North Cotabato.

Each group received 14 goats worth Php 230,000. The goats will be managed by the communities, who are members of the associations. The project aims to establish a community enterprise to acquire additional income not just for the farmers but also for the sustainability of the project. Also, each association will receive interventions for the Horse Dispersal Project. 

During the distribution, 63-year-old beneficiary Mrs. Nida Eudela expressed her gratitude to the SAAD Program. She said, “Maraming salamat sa DA, dahil napakalaki nitong tulong para sa aming hanap-buhay.”

Meanwhile, 52-year-old beneficiary Mrs. Annabelle Barrion also shared the same sentiment. She shared, “Sobrang laking tulong po nito sa aming hanap-buhay, makakadagdag din po ito sa aming income.”

The said activity was done with the help of the Provincial SAAD North Cotabato team leader, Ms. Jocelyn C. Sugabo, with Project Development Officer Jomar Bagundang and Banisilan Municipal Agriculturist Ms. Marieta A. Nonan.

Kabacan, Cotabato

Upgraded Anglo Nubian goats (41 does and 4 bucks) were delivered in three associations held at Brgy. Osias, in Kabacan, North Cotabato. Each group received 15 goats amounting to Php 251,666.00.

The three FAs who received the interventions were the Bangilan Irrigators Association (from  Brgy. Bangilan with 25 members), Osias Samahang Nayon MPC Association (from Brgy. Osias with 25 members), and the Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Magatos Association (from Brgy. Magatos with 25 members).

In addition, 505 Muscovy ducks (with a total cost of Php 290, 000.00) and 220 gardening tools (with a total cost of Php 81, 000.00) were also distributed to three barangays.

Fifty-five (55) farmers from Barangay Bangilan received 330 Muscovy ducks, 55 pcs bolo, 55 pcs shovel, 55 pcs hand trowel, and 55 pcs long machete for Duck and Corn Production. The inputs given are worth Php 4,700 per beneficiary.

In Brgy Magatos, 145 ducks were also distributed to 24 beneficiaries. Each farmer received Php 3,000.00 worth of intervention.

Lastly, 30 ducks were given to upland rice beneficiaries of Brgy. Aringgay. The ducks are part of the FY 2019 budget with a total cost of Php 15,000.00.

“Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa programa ng DA-SAAD 12, dahil itoy nakakatulong sa agrikultura at magsasaka lalo pa’t agricultural area ang bayan ng Kabacan,” Mayor Herlo P. Guzman, Jr said. He also urged the FAs to keep in touch with the Municipal Agriculture Office to know more about the programs of the DA. ###

Writer:

Aisa Tina, SAAD-RPMSO Region 12- Information Officer

Jemiema Arro, DA SAAD NPMO – PR and Communication officer