COTABATO, April 6, 2022 – Forty-two (42) native goats for meat and milk production were granted to three farmers’ associations (FAs) in Midsayap and Aleosan on April 4. The Native Goat Production Project worth Php 285,600 was funded under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of FY 2021.

Composed of 64 rice and corn growers, each FA received 13 does and 1 buck which were dewormed prior to distribution and made sure to be free of Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) as well as Brucella.

Table 1. Small ruminants received by three FAs

Farmers’ Association	Location	Livestock received	Project Cost (Php)
Upper Glad 1 FA (25 members)	Upper Glad 1, Midsayap	13 does	95,200.00
		1 buck
Malamote Rural Improvement Club (25 members)	Malamote, Midsayap	13 does	95,200.00
		1 buck
Upper Cawilihan FA (14 members)	Cawilihan, Aleosan	13 does	95,200.00
		1 buck
Total			285,600.00

Aside from raising goats for production, they can also be used as a four-legged brushing machine to clear out unwanted weeds in the field. Their manure is great for fertilizer because it contains potassium, potash, and nitrogen.

The Upper Cawilihan FA president, Mr. Bobby Salazar expressed his gratitude to the program.

“Sobra-sobra gid ang amun ya nga pagpasalamat sa DA, ilabi na sa SAAD, bangud sa gindul-ong nila nga hinabang sa amun nga asosasyon. Dako gid ang mabulig sini nga intervention sa among umahan. Daad, madamo pa kamo(SAAD) mabuligan nga mga farmers nga budlayan man sa kabuhi tungod sa kapopbrehon, salamat SAAD,” said Mr. Salazar.

(I am so grateful to the DA, especially SAAD for extending their assistance to our association. This will surely bring us a huge help and advantage in our farming activities. I hope that SAAD could also extend their helping hands to more poor farmers, thank you SAAD.)

The distribution was facilitated by the SAAD 12 Deputy Focal Person Elma Delante together with Cotabato Team Leade Jocelyn Sugabo and provincial staff. ###

 

Writer: Aisa L. Tina, SAAD 12 Information Officer