Department of Agriculture 12 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen, National Dairy Authority – Southern Mindanao Manager Marlon Flores, Ret. Col. Celestino F. Desamito, CAAP GSS Chief Edgar Bariñan and other officials, witnessed the arrival of dairy goats from Australia.
At around 8pm, a Malaysian cargo plane arrived at General Santos City International Airport carrying 1,285 dairy goats which will be raised in various production and multiplier farms in Region 12.
This project is part of the agency’s Intensified Community-Based Dairy Enterprise (ICODE) which aims to further develop the local dairy goat industry and boost local milk production to achieve significant milk sufficiency level.
Moreover, this project also endeavors to provide livelihood opportunities and increase the income of dairy farmers among rural areas.
On behalf of Agriculture Secretary William Dar, RED Mangelen has expressed his gratitude to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which funded the multi-billion dairy goat farming project for the Philippines under the US Public Law 480 or USPL480 Program, also known as the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act.
RED Mangelen also congratulated the Cabu-ay Pioneers Multipurpose Cooperative of General Santos City; Sta. Cruz MPC of Maasim, Sarangani; Backyard Goat Raisers’ Association of Banga, South Cotabato; and the Mua-an Farmers’ MPC of Kidapawan City, as recipients of these dairy goats
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He further said that this project will surely uplift the income of the farmer-recipients which is the major battlecry under the Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita framework of the DA.
The dairy goats are currently held at a quarantine facility in Alabel, Sarangani for 30 days. # # # (DA-RFO XII, RAFIS)
DA9 continues distribution of cash and food subsidy to farmers
PAGADIAN CITY – Undersecretary Zamzamin L. Ampatuan said the farmers and fisherfolk play a significant role in sustaining food production during the pandemic.
“This time, it is rightful that the government will look after the needs of our farmers and fisherfolk.” He said.
In the presence of USEC Ampatuan, DA9 Regional Executive Director Rad Donn L. Cedeño led the distribution of Cash and Food Subsidy to the 515 corn farmers from the different barangays in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
“The cash and food subsidy program is in support to the holistic transformation of agriculture as initiated by Secretary William D. Dar in recognizing all the work of farmers and fishers to continue producing food for all,” mentioned RED Cedeño.
The DA – Corn Program and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) facilitated the mass distribution of the subsidy which consists of two (2) sacks of rice worth two thousand pesos (₱2000) and three thousand pesos (₱3000) cash, amounting to a total value of ₱5,000.00.
Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor J. Yu, Deputy Speaker Congresswoman Divina Grace C. Yu and the Local Government Unit of Pagadian City headed by Mayor Samuel S. Co were in full support during the distribution held at the DA9 Regional Office in Lenienza, Pagadian City on April 6, 2021. # # # (Inelin R. Cabeguin / DA-RFO IX, RAFIS)
Orientation on ELCAC at San Jose de Buan, Samar
The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program penetrated the farthest and remotest barangay in Samar, located within an insurgency area in the municipality of San Jose de Buan. The program simply cannot stop helping farmer communities elevate their socioeconomic status even at the risk of the field implementors’ safety.
Mr. Joel Pedraza, APCO/SAAD Focal Person of Samar, attended the Orientation on End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) on February 17, 2021 at the Municipal Session Building, San Jose de Buan, Samar. Said orientation was participated in by members of the Gusa Farmers Association, majority of which are rebel returnees. Mayor Joaquin Elizalde, AFP staff represented by Sgt. Danilo L. Silagan (INF) PA CMO, NCO Alpha Company, 87IB, Municipal Agriculturist Nimfa C. Reyes, and SAAD Provincial Coordinator Kristine Dorothea T. Danago were also present.
The Gusa Farmers Association is a recipient of the FY 2021 Egg Layer with Vegetable Production Project. It was organized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in September 2019. It also a recipient of the Greenlihood Project of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Samar.
APCO Pedraza discussed important factors that could help in managing the association. He likewise emphasized that the Department of Agriculture is always ready to help farmers through its regular and special programs, like SAAD, by reaching out to far–flung communities. He also encouraged them to nurture and manage the projects well. For her part, PC Kristine Dorothea T. Danago presented the SAAD guidelines of implementation.
Mayor Joaquin Elizalde gave a short but encouraging message to members of the association. He underscored the importance of the project which would enable families to increase their income, if managed well. Furthermore, the good Mayor promised to provide materials for the construction of the association members’ housing.
During the conversation with Fernando R. Lazarra, Vice President of Gusa FA and a former rebel, he related that this is the first time ever that the farmers will receive help from the government. According to him, “This is the start of a new life for us with assistance coming from the government. To say thanks doesn’t come close to expressing our gratitude. It has to manifest in our thinking, attitudes, and actions. Hence, we will do our best to take good care of the project so it will be sustained because our passion in life is to make the future of our families happy and secured.” # # # (Roy A. Tabontabon / DA-RFO VIII SAAD Area Coordinator II, PPMSO–Samar)