Farmer groups supported under the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program were engaged to supply agricultural products to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom Program, resulting in combined sales amounting to Php198,210.
During the regionwide program caravan this month (where?), the farmer groups delivered 1,200 kilograms of watermelons and 627 trays of eggs as part of the program’s food assistance initiative for vulnerable communities. The watermelons were sold at Php45.00 per kilogram, generating Php54,000, while the eggs were sold at Php230 per tray for a total of Php144,210.
The watermelons were supplied by the Sampao Small Waters Irrigators System Association, Inc. (SSWISA) of Almeria, Biliran.
Meanwhile, 284 trays of table eggs were sourced from the MARECARES sa Hinapo Women’s Association of Tomas Oppus and the Talisay Women’s Association of Libagon, both from Southern Leyte.
Another 343 trays of eggs were delivered by several farmer organizations from Leyte, including the Barangay Zone III Farmers Association (BAZOFA) and Bulod Farmers Association (BFA) from Sta. Fe; Barangay Aringit Farmers Association (BAFA) and Lourdes United Farmers Association (LUFA) from Pastrana; and the District IV Rice Coconut and Banana Farmers Association (D4RCBFA) from La Paz.
The market linkage initiative provided an additional source of income for local farmers and poultry raisers while ensuring the delivery of fresh and nutritious food supplies to beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program. Through direct procurement arrangements, participating organizations were able to sell their produce at fair prices and lessen dependence on middlemen.
Moreover, the activity demonstrated the increasing production capacity of SAAD-assisted organizations and their readiness to supply institutional markets such as regional government offices.
“Mas maupay ngani nga ha DSWD kami nakakag-supply han mga bonay kay para sigurado gihapon nga diri babaraton an amon mga produkto ngan sigurado an mga Walang Gutom Program beneficiaries nga presko an bonay nga ira makakarawat,” said Zenaida Engracial, BAZOFA president.
[It was better to transact with DSWD because we are assured that our products will not be haggled, while the beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program are guaranteed to receive quality eggs.]
The DSWD Walang Gutom Program aims to reduce involuntary hunger among low-income households by providing food assistance and improving access to nutritious meals. By partnering with local farmer groups, the initiative also strengthens community-based food systems and promotes inclusive local economic development.
“Lipay kayo mi…Kumbaga dili na mi kinahanglan mulugsong pa aron mangitag buyer kay gipalit na daan ang mga itlog nga amo naharvest. Nalipay pud mi kay makatabang sa amo income ug makatabang pud sa ubang katawhan,” MARECARES President Myrna Espiritu expressed.
[We are happy because we no longer need to look for buyers since the eggs were already purchased in advance. We are also glad because it helps increase our income, while helping other people.]
For many farmer-beneficiaries, the initiative proves that small-scale producers can become reliable suppliers to large government programs when given proper coordination and market linkage.
“Bisag gamay pa amo na-supply kanila karon, mas magkugi pa mi. Kay mao lagi ni ang plano sa amo asosasyon nga mas i-expand pa amo production area aron mas daghan ang volume sa harvest unya maka-supply na mi sa mga panginahanglan sa komunidad sama aning programa sa DSWD,” shared Alberto Asumbrado, SSWISA president.
[Even though the volume we have supplied to them is still small, we will continue to work hard. It has always been the plan of our association to expand our production area so we can increase our volume and eventually supply more of the community’s needs, such as the DSWD Program.]
The successful sale of various agricultural products marks another milestone in the SAAD Program’s efforts to strengthen inter-agency partnerships in addressing food insecurity and rural poverty. By directly sourcing produce from organized farmer associations, government agencies can support local agriculture while ensuring that communities have access to fresh and quality produce. ###
Source: Gina Gaudencia Villas, SAAD Eastern Visayas RPMSO
