For many farmers in remote communities, owning a cattle remains out of reach due to the high cost of livestock and limited income from farming. To help address this challenge, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 distributed cattle interventions to four farmers’ associations (FAs) across the Zamboanga Peninsula last May 8, 2026.
The distribution was facilitated by SAAD Livestock Technician Mr. Mark Joseph Lorete together with the assigned area coordinators in the respective municipalities.
Under the intervention, the Dinasan Farmers Association in Jose Dalman, Zamboanga del Norte received eight heifers and one bull as additional support for their existing corn and cattle production project. The Nilabo Farmers Association in Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte also received 15 heifers to further strengthen their livestock and corn farming activities.
Meanwhile, the Canaan Farmers Association in Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay received eight heifers and one bull as supplemental support for their cattle and vegetable production project. In San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur, the Kapamanok Farmers Association received eight heifers and one bull as their first cattle intervention under the program to complement their corn production activities.
Beyond livestock ownership, the intervention is expected to help farmers reduce labor costs in farm operations as the animals will also serve as draft animals for land preparation and hauling. For associations that primarily depend on corn farming, the cattle provide an additional source of livelihood and productivity support, especially during planting seasons.
The project also follows a dispersal scheme where offspring produced by the animals will later be distributed to other members of the associations. Through this system, the intervention is expected to gradually benefit all 25 members in each association while helping expand livestock resources within their communities.
“This is a big help to our association because not everyone can afford to buy cattle due to financial difficulties. We are happy and thankful to receive this support from the SAAD Program. We will take good care of the animals and help increase their number so all members of the association can also benefit,” said Ms. Cristita V. Gemida, a farmer-member of the Kapamanok FA.
With a total project cost of Php 2,241,800 under Fiscal Year 2026, the intervention highlights the DA-SAAD Program’s continuing effort to provide sustainable agricultural support to marginalized farmers in the region by combining livestock production with existing farming livelihoods. ###
