For the members of the Makulip Farmers Association (MFA) in Barangay Diana Countryside, every intervention they receive represents another opportunity to build a more secure and sustainable future.
Their journey took another significant step forward as the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 turned over five (5) carabao heifers to the association last July 2, providing members with a new livelihood enterprise that complements the agricultural projects they have been managing under the program.
The intervention is expected to diversify the association’s sources of income while reducing the risks of relying solely on crop production. Through proper breeding and livestock management, the female carabaos are envisioned to become productive assets that can generate long-term economic returns for the organization and its members.
Composed of 25 farmer-members, the Makulip Farmers Association became a beneficiary of the DA-SAAD Program Phase 2 in 2024. Since then, the association has steadily strengthened its agricultural enterprises through various interventions, including white corn and vegetable production projects, farm inputs, and agricultural machinery.
The association has demonstrated its determination to make the most of every opportunity despite challenges brought about by unpredictable weather conditions and crop pests. By adopting improved farming practices and working collectively, members have sustained their farming activities while continuously building the association’s resources and organizational capacity.
Recognizing the association’s commitment and potential, DA-SAAD expanded its assistance beyond crop production by introducing the female carabao project. More than providing draft animals for farm operations, the intervention is designed to establish a sustainable breeding enterprise that will enable the association to multiply its livestock inventory and create additional income-generating opportunities in the years ahead.
For the members, the project symbolizes more than an additional livelihood—it represents a greater milestone in their journey toward self-reliance.
“Nalipay kaayo mi sa pagdawat niining lima ka kabaw tungod kay dako kaayo kini og tabang sa among asosasyon. Dili lang kini dugang panginabuhian, kundili usa usab ka oportunidad nga mapalambo pa namo ang among paningkamot isip mga mag-uuma. Paningkamotan namo nga ampingan ug mapadaghan ang mga kabaw aron sa umaabot, mas daghan pa sa among mga miyembro ang makapahimulos sa maong proyekto,” said Mr. Laurencio L. Sanchez, president of the Makulip Farmers Association.
(We are very happy to receive these five female carabaos because they will greatly benefit our association. More than just an additional source of livelihood, they represent an opportunity for us to further improve our efforts as farmers. We are committed to taking good care of them and helping them multiply so that more members of our association can benefit from this project in the future.)
The turnover also reflects DA-SAAD’s integrated development approach, which combines livelihood interventions with technical assistance, capability-building activities, and continuous monitoring to ensure that farmer organizations are equipped not only with resources but also with the knowledge and skills needed to sustain their enterprises.
As Makulip Farmers Association continues to grow, the addition of the female carabaos marks another chapter in its development, from improving crop production to building a more diversified and resilient farming enterprise.
With sustained support from the Program and the dedication of its members, the association is steadily transforming opportunities into lasting gains for the farming community of Barangay Diana Countryside.###
