ROMBLON, September 26, 2024 – To support farmers with crop production and provide the needed planting tools, thirteen (13) farmers’ associations from different towns in Romblon received farm tool sets worth Php 384,865 from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2, from August 15-19.

The beneficiary associations from seven (8) municipalities included the Camili Vegetable Growers’ Association, San Isidro Livestock and Poultry Producers Association, and Alcantara Livestock and Poultry Producers and Marketing Association, all from Alcantara; Linao Vegetable and Crop Growers Association from Calatrava; Tubigon Vegetable Growers Association from Ferrol; Jolyns Vegetable and Fruits Association from San Jose; Toctoc Organic Farmers Association from Banton; Conception Norte, Bonga, and Conception Sur Farmers and Fisherfolks Associations from Sta. Maria; Kaagapay  Organization in Concepcion; and Doña Trinidad and Matis-Anon Farmers Associations from San Andres.

Through SAAD MIMAROPA, in coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of each municipality, each farmers’ association received a set of farm tools. These included a garden hose, PE hose, hand trowel, bolo, spading fork, sickle, long scythe, digging bar, and nylon. 

A total of 325 farmers will benefit from these farm tools, which will help them in land preparation and field maintenance for areas between 0.5 to 1 hectare. These tools are funded under SAAD FY 2024 to support each farmers’ association focused on root crops, vegetables, and corn production.

The farmers expressed their gratitude and said that the tools will not only make their work in the vegetable gardens easier but will also help them save money since they received them for free from the program. 

Mr. Rogel Moreno of the Bonga Farmers and Fisherfolks Association thanked SAAD for the support they received, saying it will greatly help improve their farm work efficiency.

“Maraming-marami pong salamat sa mga kagamitan na ibinigay ng DA-SAAD MIMAROPA. Malaking tulong ito para sa aming mga magsasaka. Nagiging madali ang aming paggawa sa bukid sapagkat halos lahat kaming mga miyembro ay may mga kagamitang pansaka,” said Moreno.

(Thank you very much for the equipment provided by DA-SAAD MIMAROPA. This is a great help for us farmers. Our work in the fields has become easier because almost all of us members now have farming tools.)

The agricultural tools are expected to be helpful as farmers prepare for the second cropping season, which will begin this October.  ###

Writer: Reymond S. Ilao, DA- SAAD MIMAROPA Information Officer I

Sources: Engr. Maiden Marie M.  Segui, DA- SAAD MIMAROPA Associate Project Officer II, Ian Von A. Yadao, DA- SAAD MIMAROPA Community Development Officer II, Jhonzell G. Panganiban,  DA- SAAD MIMAROPA Community Development Officer II, Jercel N. Catubig,  DA- SAAD MIMAROPA Community Development Officer II