Maricel Ilao, a farmer from Brgy. Corona, Tingloy, Batangas, proves that humble beginnings can lead to remarkable success. Starting with just one goat, she and her husband have nurtured a thriving herd, demonstrating resilience and dedication to their livelihood.
Their goat farming journey began in 2016 with a single doe. Through years of hard work and experience, they expanded their herd and reaped financial rewards. They sold a mature doe for Php 10,000, a buck for Php 6,500, and numerous young kids, priced at Php 200 per kilogram for females and Php 250 per kilogram for males.
With hands-on experience, they learned to manage common goat ailments such as abscesses and skin sores. To ensure proper nutrition, they cultivated ipil-ipil and other forage crops in their backyard, providing their goats with a sustainable and nutritious diet.
In 2023, their livelihood received a significant boost when they became beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) CALABARZON Program Phase 2. Through Social Preparation activities including beneficiary profiling, Participatory Rural Appraisal, and community organizing, the Barangay Corona Agricultural Farmers Organization (BACAFO) was formed, creating new opportunities for local farmers.
Elected as the association’s secretary, Maricel understands the importance of collective action.
“Nang mabuo ang BACAFO, nagbukas ito ng pinto para sa mga oportunidad. Bukod sa natututo kami sa isa’t isa, nagtutulong-tulong din kami upang mapabuti ang aming mga kabuhayan,” she shared.
[When BACAFO was formed, it opened doors to opportunities. Aside from learning from one another, we also work together to improve our livelihoods.]
Under the Food Production and Livelihood component, BACAFO members received specialized training in goat production, covering disease management and alternative feeding strategies.
“Nakatulong po sa amin ng malaki ang training na binigay ng SAAD dahil nadagdagan po ang aming kaalaman, lalo na sa pamamahala ng sakit at sa kung ano ang dapat at hindi dapat ipakain sa aming mga alaga,” Maricel added.
[The training provided by SAAD greatly helped us because we gained more knowledge, especially in disease management and proper goat nutrition.]
In June 2024, seven farmers’ associations in Tingloy, including BACAFO, received goats from SAAD. Maricel was given an upgraded doe, a valuable addition to her herd. Although the doe later contracted pink eye, continuous support from SAAD, including the provision of biologics, facilitated its recovery. By December 2024, the doe became pregnant and gave birth to two female kids, sired by a SAAD-provided buck under the care of another BACAFO member.
To safeguard farmers from unexpected losses, Area Coordinator Angelo Pabilonia facilitated the enrollment of their goats, including self-owned animals, in the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
Currently, Maricel’s SAAD-provided doe is pregnant again, further expanding her growing herd, which now consists of two does, one buck, and the SAAD-provided doe. She plans to raise the two female kids as breeders while developing their existing bucks for breeding purposes.
BACAFO operates under a shared benefit system. Does are passed on to other members after giving birth to ensure equitable distribution of resources. Meanwhile, stud services for bucks are offered at Php 300 for members and Php 500 for non-members, with the income split between the owner (Php 200) and the association fund (Php 100).
Additionally, the association plans to allocate a percentage of its sales to a shared fund, further strengthening its financial stability.
Through the collective efforts of Maricel, BACAFO, and DA-SAAD CALABARZON, a simple initiative has grown into a thriving livelihood, fostering hope and sustainability for local farmers. ###
