AGUSAN DEL SUR, February 4, 2021 – In Agusan del Sur, the Department of Agriculture- Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program invested in building suitable commodities mainly on crops (rice, abaca, and cacao) and poultry production to help address poverty incidence in the province.

The Program allocated a total of Php 3,460,887.29 in 2019 and Php 2,429,022.95 in 2020 for Cecelia Abaca and Corn Planters Association (CAPCA) with 100 members for abaca production. The association received 10,103 abaca suckers, 25,051 abaca seedlings, and other production inputs such as farm tools, fertilizers, chemicals, and a UV plastic shed in support of the abaca plantation of all members (1 ha per member).

Aside from the abaca project, CAPCA also obtained a native chicken production project worth Php 830,966.90 that serves as another source of income while waiting for the abaca to be harvested.

A Farmer’s Expectation

Manong Enerio is a member of the CACPA that has been engaged in abaca production since 2019. His one-hectare abaca farm in barangay Cecelia, San Luis, Agusan del Sur (ADS) is expected to produce its first harvest by January 2022.

With the current buying price of Php 92/kg, Manong Enerio will earn around Php 80,000 quarterly or Php 320,000 in one year. In estimates, a hectare of abaca plantations can produce 925 kgs of abaca fibers.

Project monitoring continues in ADS

SAAD Deputy Focal Person Jekem D. Sanchez, accompanied by Municipal Agriculturist Ceasar G. Burdeos, surveyed the SAAD-funded abaca and chicken production projects in San Luis, ADS.

Since 2019, the SAAD Program has supported two farmers’ associations in the municipality, namely the Muritula USAD Farmers’ Association (80 members) and the CAPCA.

Agricultural Technologists Joan Salinas (Muritula USAD FA) and Ma. Fe Sulapas (CAPCA) with SAAD Area Coordinator Richard Lalisan facilitated the said visit. ###

Writer:               Mark Angelo Pineda, Information Officer- SAAD Caraga

Copy editor:      Natalianne Marie O. Delos Reyes, PR and Comms Officer- SAAD NPMO