The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) MIMAROPA recently handed over various interventions worth Php795,946 to three beneficiary associations in Alcantara, Romblon.
DA SAAD Mimaropa in a press release said that this distribution aims to boost the production capabilities of each association.
The Camili Vegetable Growers Association in Brgy. Camili received 2,030 vegetable seed packets, 125 seedling trays, 12 plastic drums, 10 rolls of poultry netting, 13 rolls of plastic mulch, and 15 bags of glutinous corn seeds. These items support the association’s Vegetable Production Project, which will now include corn planting alongside vegetable cultivation this year.
San Isidro Livestock and Poultry Producers Association in Brgy. San Isidro received an equal amount of interventions. The association currently manages the Free-range Chicken Production Project, which was granted last year. While continuing to raise chickens, they will also start planting vegetables and corn on their communal farm.
Meanwhile, the Suong Farmers Association (SFA) in Brgy. Bagsik received a new hammer mill to expedite the processing of their harvested corn. Along with the hammer mill, they also received plastic drums. Members of the SFA were trained on the proper use and maintenance of the machinery following its delivery.
Alcantara Mayor Riza Pamorada acknowledged that continuous assistance from the program leads to sustained growth in the agricultural sector in their municipality.
Mayor Pamorada added that they share the SAAD Program’s vision for the associations to become community-based enterprises (CBE) that can supply the local market, encouraging residents to buy locally produced goods.