AGUSAN DEL NORTE, July 13, 2023 – Banana growers from Remedios T. Romualdez, a 5th-income class municipality in Agusan del Norte received inputs for the Banana Production Project from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 Caraga entering into food production and livelihood component of the program. 

Assisting to continually boost local food production, 25 farmers from the newly-organized Balangbalang Farmers’ Organization (BAFO) received 6,250 pieces of planting materials for a 6.25 hectare (ha) consolidated production area (0.25ha/member) and complementary fertilizers. In June, BAFO accepted in advance the farm tools intended for their land preparation. The Program allocated Php 1,438,750 for the said project in FY 2023. Table 1. Delivered Banana Production Project inputs for BAFO

Officer-In-Charge – Chief of DA Field Operations Division and SAAD Regional Lead Melody Guimary led the turnover in coordination with the Local Government Unit – Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR) headed by Municipal Mayor Richard P. Daquipil. 

In her message, Ms. Guimary encouraged BAFO to manage the project well and thanked the Local Government of RTR for the sustained support. 

“Gi organize gyud mo para niini  nga project. We are looking forward sa maayo nga pag-implement sa project aron nga daghan pa nga benepisyo ang inyong makuha pinaagi. Among dakong pasalamat sad sa LGU for the all out support sa agency,” said Guimary.

(We are looking forward to effective project implementation for the group to benefit more in the future. Thank you, as well, to the LGU for the all-out support to the agency.)

BAFO Chair Mr. Guilermo Gumatay also expressed gratitude for being selected and organized as a group through the Program. “Daghang salamat sa tanang nahatag sa DA. Sa kadaghan taw nga naginahanglan niini, kami pa gyud ang nahimong benepisyaryo. Kini tagsa rani moabot maong amo kini tarungon og pagdumala aron produktibo ang proyekto,” said Mr. Gumatay. 

(We are most grateful for the inputs provided by DA. Of those who equally need assistance, we are among the identified beneficiaries. Support like this is rare. We will handle the project effectively and productively.)

As found in the Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA) conducted by the Program in March this year, banana production is suitable at Brgy. Balangbalang. The barangay reported at least 550ha of existing plantation. In the case of BAFO, most members also have experience in banana production with Sarabia and Latundan varieties. However, the lakatan variety, which the Program is funding, is new to most. As such, the Program also conducted production-related training in April this year. 

The training covered topics on establishing a banana plantation, determining the suitability of the site, clearing and preparing the land, selecting planting materials, planting, fertilizer application, and pest control. 

As reported by the Municipal Agriculture Office – RTR, there are at least 550ha of banana plantation in the municipality, dominantly Sarabia and Latundan varieties. The project funded by the Program activates local production of lakatan by 2024, a first in the community with Brgy. Balangbalang aiming to become the lead producer in the municipality. ###

Writer: Mark Angelo Pineda, DA-SAAD Caraga Information Officer