KALINGA, November 8, 2021 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program distributed Php 1.3 million worth of support to strengthen goat production in Rizal, Kalinga and reinforce farmers to build a community enterprise.

A total of 134 upgraded goats and 120 rolls of cyclone wire funded under FY 2021 were given to the Romualdez Farmers Association (RFA) and Calagango People’s Association Inc. (CAPI).

SAAD Focal Person Ayne Elveña lauded the approval of the goat production for RFA, in which 166 members received 45 does and five bucks for their multiplier farm project.

The stocks provided were 6 months old and ready for breeding. In four months, the number of goats is expected to double at most.

About 1 hectare (ha) pasture land was prepared by the group for the multiplier farm.

Meanwhile, each of the 70 members of CAPI received a doe while the remaining 14 bucks were distributed to 7 sitios or sub-groups.

Household goat raising is the approach of the group wherein beneficiaries are allowed to sell their stock’s offspring for additional income and contribute to the association’s fund.

The said initiative is geared towards establishing an enterprise focused on goat production to be sold within the locality and nearby areas and to provide employment among the members (i.e. caretaking and farm service), a source of extra income.

The rolls of cyclone wire received by the associations will be used for the construction of fences for their production areas. The fences will secure their stocks against predators and other possible harm.

Meanwhile, the beneficiaries will provide sheds and other needs of the stocks’ housing.

“Goat is a poor man’s cow. You don’t need to provide costly inputs like feeds for it to live. You only need good management such as providing forages and a suitable environment for the goats,” Ms. Elveña said.

Capacitating the farmers

Beneficiaries underwent capacity building through training on goat housing, feeding, breeding, and management upon receipt of the inputs.

Aside from being a resource person during the conduct of training on October 15, Dr. Florencio Wanason from the Office for Provincial Veterinary Services inspected the animals ensuring the health and safety of stocks.

“I hope that you’ll apply the new learnings that you acquired from this training in attaining a successful goat production here in Rizal,” Dr. Wanason advised.

Benjamin Encartado, Office for Agricultural Services personnel, discussed the process of availing insurance for livestock to lessen the loss of farmers in case of unavoidable incidents. ###

Writer: Sheena Phine P. Dayagon, Information Officer I – Kalinga