An association of farmers in Barangay Marag, Luna, Apayao is slowly benefitting from the livelihood grant they received from the Department of Social Welfare’s Sustainable Livelihood Program under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) Program.
For many years, farmers in the barangay had to spend more on farming costs due to the five to 10 percent interest rate on the seeds and other farm inputs which they loaned from a store at the Poblacion and rent of vehicle for hauling.
With this situation, 22 farmers in 2018 organized the Marag SLP Pamana Association and put up a community microenterprise on seeds and feeds retailing.
In 2020, it received from the DSWD P300,000 capital fund which they used to purchase raw materials.
The association came up with the livelihood project to lessen expenses of farmers and to help the community have better access to farm inputs.
The farmers now have access to affordable farm supply and members can also borrow with lower interest and may pay after harvesting their crops. The storekeeper of the association, who is also the business manager, keeps a record of their daily sales which is presented every first Sunday of the month, during their monthly meeting.
After a year of operation, the association has a total of P10,000 savings. The association’s average net income per month is P25,000. They were also able to lend corn seeds and other farm supply to its members which is equivalent to P14,500. This will be paid by the members with two percent interest.
The association is also planning to buy corn seeds so they could be a supplier of the community and nearby barangays.
Pamana is a program implemented in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to respond and strengthen peace-building, reconstruction and development in conflict affected and vulnerable areas.
The livelihood project is one way of helping the beneficiaries to have an income generating activity to propagate their source of living. In line with the ongoing projects of the government, and with the economic activity of the community, it will have a great impact to help the community in having easier access of buying the commodities. – Babble Mae Gorio
