ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, July 15, 2021 – The Department of Agriculture Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in Region 9 delivered 30 heifers worth Php 1,339,260 to the SAAD Katipunan Farmers Association (FA) in Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte (ZDN).

Funded under the FY 2021 Cattle Raising Production Project, the heifers were distributed to 30 members of the association from barangays Matam (9) Mias (5), San Vicente FA (9), and Dr. Jose Rizal FA (7).

According to SAAD livestock technician Jailyn Gamutan, the local government unit (LGU) of Katipunan will provide support to the association by providing trained technicians to facilitate the artificial insemination (AI) of the animals.

“The main purpose of this project is to increase production. With this, part of the association’s policy is to give the calf to the other members who did not receive any,” Gamutan explained. The Katipunan FA has 100 members in total.

Project recipient Marietta Jumawan from barangay Mias expressed her deep appreciation to the program.

“The best thing about the SAAD Program is that it addresses the needs of the farmers. The coordinators listen to our cry for help and provide us exactly what we need. I am very grateful that the Program has given us this livelihood opportunity,” Marietta said.

Also present during the distribution of the project are OIC-Municipal Agriculturist Charissa Galindo, and DA livestock inspector Reynier Calupez. ###

Writer: Aimee Lou D. Madjus, Information Officer- DA SAAD Region 9 Zamboanga del Norte