ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, March 1, 2024 – To enhance agricultural productivity in rural areas, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 in Zamboanga Peninsula provided one unit of 4-wheel drive tractor with implements worth Php 1,499,975 to Kapamanok Rootcrops Farmers’ Association (KRFA) in San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur.  

The provision of the machinery to KRFA is under SAAD’s Fiscal Year 2023 Corn Production Project worth Php 1,935 million. This is in support of the DA’s ongoing efforts for agricultural mechanization and modernization, which aims to depart farmers from traditional farming methods, improve their lives, and boost agricultural productivity.

The 4-wheel drive tractor is expected to increase KRFA farmers’ efficiency in land preparation, planting, and cultivation processes, thereby enabling them to maximize their productivity while minimizing labor and time requirements.  Additionally, it will assist farmers in meeting market demands, taking advantage of favorable pricing opportunities, and maximizing their profits.

KRFA is a group of conventional farmers cultivating an estimated cumulative land area of 25 hectares solely for corn production. This group was established in 2009 with only 30 initial members and has grown to 140 members after 10 years. They are currently cultivating a total land area of 100 hectares for vegetables, coconut, corn, and rice as their primary source of livelihood. 

In 2023, the KRFA was the first recipient of the Corn Production Project in San Pablo with 25 first-line beneficiaries.  They received specialized training for corn production, along with 150 bags of corn seeds, 100 bags of inorganic fertilizers, and one unit of corn hammer mill to assist with their corn production and post-harvest activities. 

During the Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA) conducted in February 2023, members of the association expressed the need for increased production support to lower their farm expenses and increase income. Hence, the provision of this four-wheel-drive tractor with various implements such as plows, harrows, and tillers to the group.

“Ang amuang gipangandoy nga tractor nahatag na gyud sa SAAD, dayun uban pa sa mga nadawat namo kinahanglan sa pag-uma sama sa abuno, binhi ug post-harvest machine. Mao dako kayo ang amuang pasalamat sa DA-SAAD kay dako kaayo ang ikatabang sa amuang grupo kining makinarya nga dili na mi magdaro gamit sa among kabaw ug baka. Pinaagi aning tractor mas mapadali namo ang mga trabaho kabahin sa amuang pagpanguma ug makaincome na ug dako,” expressed KRFA President Mr. Abasalon Utlang.

[The tractor that we dreamed of has now been given to us by SAAD, along with other inputs we received for farming such as fertilizer, seeds (corn), and post-harvest machinery. We are very grateful to the DA-SAAD because we will no longer have to rely on and use our carabaos and cows to till the soil. With the use of this tractor, we can make our farming activity a lot easier and increase income.]

The group officially acquired the tractor on February 27, 2024, intending to utilize it for land preparation ahead of their inaugural corn cropping season in March. This approach reflects KRCFA’s dedication to upgrading their agricultural practices, improving productivity, and maximizing the yield of their farming endeavors. 

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

Source: Mark B. Ferolino, San Pablo Area Coordinator