OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, May 23, 2022 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program awarded Php 1,265,200 worth of rice and corn machinery and farm production inputs to four indigenous Hanunuo-Mangyan farmers’ associations (FAs) to help the farmers prepare for the upcoming planting season ensuring harvest for the community.

The three FAs benefitting 75 farmers (25 members each) are focused on traditional rice along with corn production. Emok Farmers Association (EFA) from Brgy. Paclolo, Magsaysay – an End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) area – received two units of the water pump with complete accessories, and one unit hand tractor with trailer. The Canabang Farmers Association (CFA) received one unit water pump with complete accessories and one hand tractor with a trailer. Bantulao Farmers Association (BFA) received one unit water pump with complete accessories.

In addition, each FA received 50 sacks of certified rice seeds (RC18) and 25 bags of OPV white corn seeds as preparation for the planting season during the onset of the wet season in May, as farmers are reliant on rain for their irrigation.

While the farmers of the Basa Farmers Association (BFA) also produce traditional rice, the group is more inclined toward corn production. They received one unit of the water pump with complete accessories and rice and corn seeds.

During the turnover, Mr. Eddie D. Buen, SAAD Provincial Coordinator explained to the beneficiaries about the program’s goal of reaching out to marginalized farmers.

“Target ng SAAD na maabot ang mga nasa malalayong lugar nating mga magsasaka. Sinisikap ng programa na mabigyan ang mga magsasakang hindi pa nakatatanggap ng interventions mula sa ibang programa ng Department of Agriculture, kaya makakaasa kayong mabibigyan din ang mga kapatid nating hindi nakapunta dito ng tulong mula sa programa,” said Mr. Buen.

(SAAD aims to reach out to those farmers who are in the far-flung areas. The program is doing its best to assist farmers who have not been reached by other programs of the Department of Agriculture, and you can expect that those who were not able to attend today will receive help as well through the program.)

According to the Barangay Captain of Paclolo, Ms. Laila M. Agnes, the projects complement the farmers’ needs in farm equipment to help them utilize their land even during the dry season.

“Mainam ang proyekto para sa mga katutubo para mapakinabangan ‘yong mga nakatiwangwang na lupa. Makakapagtanim kahit sa tag-araw dahil may water pump at may magagamit na binhi na akma sa kanilang lupa sa kabundukan,” said Hon. Agnes.

(The project is ideal for the IPs so they can till their idle lands. They will be able to plant even in the dry season with their water pump and they are provided with seeds that are ideal for their land in the mountains.)

Mr. Primo Estonactoc, Agriculturist II and ELCAC Focal Person from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) shared that the province’s partnership with DA-SAAD greatly contributes to reaching out to farmers residing in areas with insurgencies.

The beneficiaries who are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) will be given fertilizers from DA Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) through the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Magsaysay as a supplemental intervention.

Brgy. Paclolo is one of 19 identified ELCAC areas in Occidental Mindoro and was chosen to be one of the additional SAAD beneficiaries in 2021 with the recommendation from the Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO). ###

Writer: Dianne Francis A. Sy, SAAD Information Officer I

Source: Vilmar J. Robes, SAAD Area Coordinator – Magsaysay