BOHOL, February 22, 2024 – Six (6) months after receiving agricultural inputs from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Central Visayas, two (2) members of Cambagui United Farmers Association (CUFA) recorded a total of Php 163,801 gross income from selling fresh vegetables. 

Mr. Leonilo Cabusao and Mr. Frances Ronquillo are among the 30 members of CUFA from Barangay Cambagui, Sevilla, Bohol who became beneficiaries of SAAD Phase 2’s Vegetable Production for FY 2023. 

Before getting the support in June of last year, group members agreed to grow the vegetable seeds in their gardens, each spanning 2,000 to 6,000 square meters, as their plots are spread out. In return, as part of the group’s policy, FA members will contribute Php 100 to the association after each harvest.

That same month, each member simultaneously planted ampalaya, string beans, and eggplant. After seven months (July to January), Cabusao and Ronquillo reported abundant harvests, generating a gross income of Php 163,801 from selling 2,053 kilograms (kg) of fresh vegetables in the local market. They sold ampalaya for Php 40-50/kg, eggplant for Php 30-40/kg, and string beans for Php 30-40/kg. 

The rest of the CUFA members also reported gross sales ranging between Php 5,000 – 30,000. But these farmers incurred damage to their crops due to unpredictable weather during pre-harvest periods resulting in a decrease in yield and subsequently impacting their income. 

In an interview, Cabusao was happy to share the outcome of the livelihood project provided to them. “Nagpasalamat ko og daku sa SAAD ky dakog tabang sa akoang panginabuhian. Salamat sa mga benepisyo nga gihatag sa mga miyembro sama sa libreng binhi, fertilizer, medisina ug uban pang panginahanlan  sa pagpananom og gulay. Salamat pud sa gipaambit nga kaalaman sa miyembro sama sa paagi sa pagpananom,mga peste ug sakit, ug medesina nga angay gamiton.”

[I am thankful to the SAAD Program for the livelihood assistance. Thank you for the benefits given to the members such as seeds, fertilizer, pesticides and other necessary inputs for vegetable production. Also, thank you for the knowledge imparted to us in the specialized training which include crop management and pest control.]

Ronquillo also shared his sincere gratitude and wished that more marginalized farmers would be assisted by the program. 

“Nagpasalamat kami sa SAAD Program nga kami nahatagan og hinabang para sa mga mag–uuma. Hinaot unta nga daghan pa ang matabangan sa  SAAD,” he said.

[We are thankful to the SAAD program for the livelihood assistance provided to us farmers. I hope there will be more recipients that will also benefit from SAAD, too.]

Currently, Ronquillo and the rest of the CUFA members have started preparing the land for the subsequent vegetable cropping season. He also shared his best practices with other farmers. Cabusao, on the other hand, plans to save a portion of his income to be used for future farm labor expenses. Like the rest of the FA members who reported accumulated sales ranging between Php 5,000 – 30,000, the two contribute Php 100 each from their total profit to the association fund every month. To date, the association has accumulated Php 15,000 in savings. ### 

Writer: Jessica R. Alvero, DA-SAAD Central Visayas Information Officer  
Source: Darwin Boncales, SAAD Bohol Provincial Coordinator