A small group of farmers in the small town of Bingawan, Iloilo found it rewarding to sow the seeds of fast-growing vegetables and get a harvest in such a short period. Planting eggplant, squash, pechay, okra, tomato, pepper, ampalaya, and pole sitao provided Sitio Maganhop Farmers Association (SOMAFA) rapid results by earning Php 36,247 in three months.

Under SAAD Phase 2 Corn and Vegetable Project, the group accepted 450 packs of assorted vegetable seeds, various farm tools and materials, 65 bags inorganic fertilizer, and 16 liters of agrochemicals consisting of herbicide and insecticide. They also received 30 bags of corn seeds being the main project intended for the group.

In August, the crops were cultivated on a 0.25-hectare (ha) communal garden with SOMAFA members ensuring consistent care during growth. In November, the group realized the profitability potential of vegetable farming which provided them a source of livelihood. During harvest, they gather all the fresh vegetables and sell them in bulk to a member who then hauls their produce in the local market.

From their communal garden, however, the group follows a sharing policy where 25% from their net income shall be returned to the association whereas the remaining 75% shall be divided among the members (50%) who are actively participating in the group’s farming activities and for the landowner (25%).

Apart from their communal production area, the seeds were likewise distributed to individual growers who chose to plant in their backyards and farms. They were given the leeway to plant however they seemed fit, provided that they returned a 10% share to the association from their net income. This is to ensure that the association has a circulating fund and savings for the group to utilize by the end of each cropping.

Former Farmers Association (FA) President Nida Canonero, called by many as “Nanay Nida”, who now serves as the group’s treasurer, considers the program as a big boost for small farmers like herself: “Para kanakon, hanggud guid katama ang ini nga proyekto, luwas sa pangabuhian nga nahatag sini sa tanan nga miyembro sang SOMAFA, nakatustos guid ini sa amon pang adlaw-adlaw nga gasto kag nakabulig man sa allowance sing akon mga apo.”

[For me, this vegetable project is of great help. Apart from the livelihood it provided to the members of SOMAFA, it has also supported our daily expenses and helped me provide allowance to my grandchildren.]

With SAAD’s provision of farm inputs and implements, the group wanted to continue what they believed they should have done before – to embrace and carefully manage the project entrusted to them. This is another big step the farmers of Sitio Maganhop vowed to pursue as it entails receipt of not just its benefits, but also the responsibility it brings. 

“Sa pagsulod sang SAAD diri sa amon sitio, nakabulig guid ini sa amon pangkonsumo sa adlaw-adlaw. Imbes na baklon namon ang utan, ang bilin sa amon ma harvest pwede pa namon lutuon. Amo gane, gahandum guid ako nga mag sige-sige ang amon asosasyon sa pagtanom kag kabay pa nga mag-ugyon ang tanan nga miyembro agud sa dalayon, makakuha kami pwesto sa merkado para may bagsakan na kami sing amon produkto kag maka-supply man kami sa iban nga banwa sa sagwa sang Bingawan,” echoed newly-elected FA President Larry Patanao in an exclusive interview.

[When SAAD entered our community, it helped us with our day-to-day needs. Instead of buying vegetables, we can cook the surplus from our harvest. I am hoping that our production will continue and that the members will cooperate for us to achieve our goal of acquiring a stall in the town’s market and transporting our produce to other towns outside of Bingawan.]

Today, the group continues to monitor their crops and successionally harvests from their individual and communal areas, of which most of their yield is being sold in the town market while the rejects and surplus are shared among its members. They also plan to expand their communal area to 0.125ha of land owned by one of the SOMAFA members which they will utilize for ampalaya production. ###

Writer: Cedie C. Bataga, SAAD Western Visayas Information Officer