MARAWI CITY, January 19, 2021 – An Php 8.1 million worth of Integrated Agricultural Livelihood Project under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program for FY 2018 was delivered to 300 Meranaw farmers in Lanao del Sur.

The five-month Marawi siege which happened in 2017 and caused unstable peace and order situation throughout the years is the main reason for the delay in the distribution.

SAAD will continuously distribute the project composed of 14,400 ready-to-lay (RTL) chicken, 300 chicken cage, and 3,960 feeds until February. Each farmer will receive 48 chicken layers, 1 chicken cage, and 13 bags of feeds.

Seven farmers in barangay East Calocan, Marawi City initially received 318 RTL chicken. The remaining chicken will be delivered in February to the remaining 43 beneficiaries in the city.

Aside from Marawi City, five other municipalities including Bayang, Kapai, Poona Piagapo, Bubong, and Lumbatan will receive the said project. The chicken will be delivered after conducting the required blood sampling.

“It is important for us to see the improvement of our farmers’ lives because of the livelihood assistance they receive from the government,” said Anifa Busara, OIC-City Agriculturist of Marawi City.

“I will always encourage our farmers to take care of the projects they receive,” Anifa added.

In this pandemic, the project is anticipated to provide the cheapest source of protein to marginalized farmers and their families. It is also an added economic opportunity to help them earn an income while the country is facing this health crisis.

“We will see to it that this project will be fully and successfully implemented this year. More than ever, our farmers need our assistance now,” said Lana May Racines, the SAAD Head Secretariat of Northern Mindanao.

“Our farmers’ well-being is our top priority in these trying times,” she remarked. ###

Writer: Ruth Esther Bermundo, SAAD RPMSO 10 Information Officer