PAGADIAN CITY (PIA) – The farmer beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 in the Zamboanga Peninsula are grateful for the government’s support in boosting their livelihood and increasing their income.
Some 240 farmers from 16 recipient groups across Zamboanga del Sur attended the year-end assessment of DA-SAAD project where they expressed appreciation of the program.
The Kapamanok Rootcrops Farmers’ Association (KRFA) in San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur, a beneficiary of the FY 2023 Corn Production Project, has recorded increased yields and income. KRFA member Nelcilsa Aya-ay shared the program’s impact on her livelihood after earning a gross income of Php 41,840 from selling 4,148 kilograms of yellow corn at P10 per kilo in August 2024.
“Since I was a child, farming is the only means of living I know, but I had to stop farming for a few years because the cost of supplies was too high and I didn’t have enough capital. But when I joined the SAAD program, it was a huge blessing from God that allowed me to return to farming and earn a better income,” Nelcilsa recounts.
The KRFA has also accumulated P91,924 savings, the result of a rollover scheme in which each bag of fertilizer provided by the program is paid Php500 after each harvest. This system allows the association to build its financial stability, even though the project is managed individually.
Meanwhile, the Kilusang Pagbabago Kabatan FA (KPKFA) from the municipality of Vincenzo Sagun, Zamboanga del Sur has just begun to reap the rewards of their banana production project. After diligently cleaning the area and wrapping the fruit to protect it from pests and damage, the farmers have seen the positive results. KPKFA Treasurer Mr. Charlito Lanutan shared his experience in managing the bananas.
“We are happy to experience how smooth our bananas are because they are properly protected, and they are in high demand from buyers. It’s only the SAAD program that has brought us this livelihood because, in the past, we’ve never received any government support that truly cared for us. From the formation of our association, SAAD never leaves us until the project’s success is secured,” shared Lanutan.
Similarly, the Poblacion Tigbao Farmers Association (PTFA) President Mr. Dante Miral shared the harsh reality of being a farmer with no capital.
“Before SAAD, we had to borrow money before we could plant, and the price of our products was controlled by the supplier since they were the only ones buying from us. Now, we are given free seeds and fertilizers from SAAD, all we need to do is work hard, and they even help us sell what we harvest. This has brought a huge change for us poor farmers,” stated Mr. Miral.
It is also worth noting that PTFA has P55,000 savings in its association’s bank account, which has been accumulated from corn production and the income generated from their corn sheller.
The stories of farmer-beneficiaries from the year-end assessment highlight the program’s lasting impact on their livelihoods. Through the program’s holistic approach, which includes facilitating savings schemes, offering technical assistance, and ensuring market access, the DA-SAAD Program hopes to continue supporting sustainable agriculture and empowering communities. (EDT/CCP/PIA9 with reports and photos from DA-9 SAAD)
