SAAD engages MisOcc farmers in diversified farming with fruit trees seedlings grant

 

To empower local farmers in producing diversified farm products, the Department of Agriculture Special Area for Agricultural Development Program – Northern Mindanao recently provided Php833K worth of fruit trees seedlings and peanut seeds to six farmers’ associations (FAs) in Misamis Occidental.

A total of 130 bags of peanut seeds, 500 citrus seedlings, 500 mangosteen seedlings, and 500 durian seedlings were distributed to the following FAs – Gandawan Strawberry Growers Association of Don Victoriano Chiongban town; Punta Sulong SAAD Beneficiaries Association of Baliangao town; Maligubaan Farmers’ Association of Concepcion town; San Roque SAAD Farmers’ Association of Panaon town; Salimpuno SAAD sa Mag-Uuma Association of Sapang Dalaga town; and San Isidro Bajo Sinacaban SAAD Farmers’ Association of Sinacaban town.

The provision of said inputs is consistent with SAAD Program’s mandate to increase food production in low-income and geographically isolated areas in Northern Mindanao as a mitigating intervention to alleviate poverty.

The fruit trees seedlings and peanut seeds were provided on top of the primary livelihood projects provided by the DA-SAAD NorMin to intensify the FAs’ farm production by integrating fruit production to corn, vegetable, livestock and poultry farming.

“Farm diversification is our go-to strategy in our attempt to scale up the SAAD-assisted FAs’ means of livelihood. As we strive to transform the farmers from producers to entrepreneurs, it is imperative that they can produce varied farm products, hence the grant of SAAD’s integrated agri-livelihood projects.” said Mark Anthony D. Lagamon, DA-SAAD NorMin head of the Operational, Planning, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit.

Having received the inputs, the farmers can augment their farm’s productivity. Essentially, this will enable them to provide nutritious food for their household while gaining additional sources of income to support their daily needs. # (JAS/ATT)