Agri-10 4K continues to aid IP orgs in NorMin

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K), a special program of the Department of Agriculture (DA), continues to assist Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs)/Indigenous People (IP) farmers and fishers by helping them develop their ancestral lands through sustainable farming and boosting their livelihood, with consideration for the cultural traditions, beliefs, values, and laws of the community.

April Grace M. Racines, 4K program focal person of the DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), shared this, in a recent episode of the “Usapang Agrikultura” aired over Radyo Pilipinas 1 DXIM, and reporting that at least 50 Indigenous People’s Organizations (IPOs) in Northern Mindanao have benefited since the program’s inception in 2020.

She explained that the program offers support across the agricultural value chain, including providing seeds, fertilizers, draft animals, machinery and equipment, and training, among other things, tailored to each community’s needs and resource gaps through a Community Needs Assessment (CNA).

Racines added that eligible beneficiaries for the program are those IPOs recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), or those who have or are in the process of securing their certificate of ancestral Domain Title, Land Title or Domain Claim (CADT/CALT/CADC).

“Eligible participants must be ready to engage in trainings or capacity building activities, and be willing to adopt new technologies, while also giving respect and recognizing what we call Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP).” the coordinator detailed.

For his part, Alvin P. Pantaon, one of the program beneficiaries and part of the 51-membered association from Sitio Mintapod, Hagpa, Impasugong, Bukidnon, lauded the efforts of the agri department in uplifting the conditions of their community.

Through the 4K program, they were capacitated on the different agricultural technologies, citing that their group has been trained on rice, corn, and tilapia culture, as well as provided with abaca stripping machines and livestock animals.

“We need to realize that we cannot just rely on what nature provides us for food, especially now that we have grown in numbers, and nature can no longer support the supply of food. So, we, the IP, need to adapt, continue, and be ready to cooperate.” Pantaon remarked, urging others to do the same and pursue agriculture.

On the beneficiary’s account, Racines also conveyed that the 4K program has collaborated with the DA-10’s banner programs and special project, including its attached bureaus and agencies, NCIP, the different local government units, and the Philippine Army in contributing to the program’s milestones.

Looking ahead, she shared that the 4K program plans to identify additional ICCs/IPOs to focus on for the year 2026-2028, with the goal of helping groups transition into enterprising organizations that can secure stable markets and create sustainable livelihoods in the long run.

“We are already working on crafting cluster development plans for select IPOs.” the 4K program coordinator concluded.# (JLO)