In support to Department of Agriculture’s Plant Plant Plant Program, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of DA-10 will be distributing P5.6 million worth of basic farm inputs as COVID-19 assistance to SAAD-implementing local government units (LGUs).

The provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental will receive the farm inputs composed of 20,192 packs vegetable seeds, 1,125 packs sweet corn seeds and 2,500 bags organic fertilizers.

The intervention will be fully distributed this August which are procured through the 2020 regular and emergency procurements with an aim to augment DA-10’s COVID-19 response measure in Northern Mindanao.

At least 30 towns in the region will benefit from the intervention, urging farmers in the area to continue farming at an increased production.

Adhering to DA’s campaign for sustained and unhampered food production amidst the enduring health crisis, SAAD-10 refocused P11.2 million of its 2020 appropriation to fund the procurement of basic inputs for crops and livestock production this year.

Provision of basic farm inputs are deemed imperative to whip up food production in the region as the country is in continuous battle against the pandemic.

Notwithstanding inevitable drawbacks, SAAD-10 continuously lived up to its mandate, serving the marginalized farmers in Northern Mindanao.#(Azbie Talib)