ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, February 23, 2024 – To accurately identify farmers in need of agricultural support and services, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Zamboanga Peninsula conducted profiling and geotagging in eight municipalities of Zamboanga del Sur (ZDS) on February 6-7, 2024. 

SAAD regional staff and area coordinators organized the farmers’ profiling simultaneously in the municipalities of Sominot, Midsalip, Tabina, Vincenzo Sagun, Lakewood, San Pablo, Josefina, and Tigbao. A total of 207 new farmers from eight FAs were profiled and included in the program’s registry system. These farmers are set to receive diverse livelihood project packages during this year’s Phase 2 implementation. 

Among the beneficiaries recently identified, 60 belong to the Subanen tribe, and 147 are of pure Visayan descent. Within this group, there are 137 women and 70 men, ranging in age from 31 to 82, who mainly sustain themselves through farming. These farmers cultivate a variety of crops like corn, rice, vegetables, root crops, coconut, and bananas. Furthermore, they also rear livestock such as goats, cattle, carabaos, and native chickens.

The farmers identified fall below the poverty line in the province, with monthly earnings ranging from Php 5,000 to Php 11,000 for a family of three to five. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report published on December 22, 2023, the poverty threshold in Zamboanga del Sur was approximately Php 11,822 per month for a family of five during the first half of 2018.

The region ensures that assistance is distributed equitably and fairly to eligible beneficiaries based on their agricultural requirements, not on arbitrary criteria. This practice supports social justice and reduces the risk of social discrimination.

Profiling farmers is a critical task in the Social Preparation phase as it assists in understanding their socio-economic status, level of expertise, and existing farming knowledge. This information enables agricultural support programs to customize interventions according to their specific requirements.

With this, SAAD Zamboanga Peninsula is set to conduct and provide various technical training related to crops, poultry management, and livestock production to help further develop and enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the farmers in farming towards increased and improved agricultural productivity and livelihood. ###

Writer: Ellaine L. Quiamco, DA-SAAD 9 Information Officer 

Sources: Adam M. Gonzales, Mark B. Ferolino, Ronald C. Arellano, and Catherine Aranton, DA-SAAD Zamboanga del Sur Community Development Officers

Reference: Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) 2023. Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines, December 22, 2023, page 17. Retrieve from https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phdsd/2023%201st%20Sem%20Official%20Poverty%20Statistics%20Report.pdf