March 29, 2024

RIZAL, Kalinga – The Department of Agriculture-Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) continues to provide interventions to sustain or improve the livelihood of farmers and fisherfolk.  
The Romualdez Farmers Association (RFA) in this municipality received from SAAD 25 heads of purebred Anglo Nubian goat worth P1,250,000 for upgrading of their stocks.
Four caretaker-members who provided goat shelter sites were oriented on the basics of managing a purebred goat.
Training will also be conducted to help member-goat raisers reduce cost input without compromising the health of the animals.
The local government unit of Rizal assured to assist the beneficiaries in registering the goats under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, with DA-SAAD to further provide technical assistance and thorough monitoring to ensure the project’s sustainability and success.
Municipal Agriculturist Isabelo Dawaton said good management and unity will lead to the success of the project.
“Masapul nga tarimaanen tayu daytuy nga naiyeg tapnu umado. Agkaykaysa kayu ket sapay kuma ta ag-succeed daytuy nga proyekto tapnu agbalin nga supplier iti kalding ti RFA,” he said.
In Balbalan, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources through SAAD distributed 16,000 fingerlings to 32 FISH R-registered fishpond owners in barangays Balbalan Proper, Ab-abaan, Balantoy, Gawaan, Pantikian, Talalang, and Balbalasang.
FISH R is the registry system generated by the BFAR for fishpond owners in which all the information of individual program beneficiaries  are stored for record and planning purposes, as well as to determine interventions that beneficiaries need.
Project monitoring and evaluation activities were also conducted to 133 recorded beneficiaries of the SAAD-BFAR special project.
Interviews and limited community meetings were done to assess and evaluate the impact of the project.
Of the 133 beneficiaries, 87 complied with the production record required by the project and were given one fish crate each as an additional intervention and assistance to sustain their fish production livelihood activities.
The beneficiaries said the project helps them attain food availability and sustain fish supply for the family. – Peter A. Balocnit