OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, June 13, 2022 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program awarded Php 1,401,860.00 worth of farm inputs and machinery to 13 farmers associations in Sta. Cruz and Abra de Ilog to support the farmers for the main cropping season.
439 bags of certified seeds, three (3) units of hand tractor with complete accessories, and 781 bottles of organic fertilizer were distributed among 13 FAs.
Table 1. List of associations in Sta. Cruz and Abra de Ilog and interventions received.
| Name of Association | Cultivated Area (ha) | Members | Livelihood Project | Interventions Received |
| Sta. Cruz | ||||
| Siapo Farmers Association, INC. | 40 ha | 31 (Alangan-Mangyan Tribe) | Rice Production | 100 bags of certified rice seeds, 100 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer) |
| Abra de Ilog | ||||
| Arangkada Palayan Farmers Association | 20 ha | 37 (Iraya-Mangyan) | Lowland Rice Production | 37 bags of certified rice seeds, 74 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer) |
| Magsasakang Matiyaga Farmers Association | 20 ha | 23 (Iraya-Mangyan) | Lowland Rice Production | 23 bags of certified rice seeds, 43 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer) |
| Patubigan Farmers Association | 25 ha | 30 (Iraya-Mangyan) | Lowland Rice Production | 30 bags of certified rice seeds, 60 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer) |
| Golden Rice Farmers Association | 15 ha | 20 (Iraya-Mangyan) | Lowland Rice Production | 20 bags of certified rice seeds, 40 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer) |
| Samahan ng Katutubong Iraya-Mangyan | 25 ha | 34 (Iraya-Mangyan) | Lowland Rice Production | 34 bags of certified rice seeds, 74 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer) |
| Masayang Palayan Farmers Association | 26 ha | 30 (Tagalog) | Lowland Rice Production | 30 bags of certified rice seeds, 60 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer) |
| Palayan sa Cabacao Farmers Association | 15 ha | 30 (Tagalog-IP) | Lowland Rice Production | 30 bags of certified rice seeds, 60 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer) |
| Samahang Pangkalikasan at Pangkaunlaran Farmers Association | 15 ha | 30 (Mangyan) | Lowland Rice Production | 30 bags of certified rice seeds, 60 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer) |
| Balantoy Farmers & Irrigators Association | 15 ha | 30 (Tagalog) | Lowland Rice Production | 30 bags of certified rice seeds, 60 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer) |
| Balimbing Rice Farmers Association | 15 ha | 25 (Mangyan) | Lowland Rice Production | 25 bags of certified rice seeds, 50 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer), 1 unit hand tractor with trailer |
| Luku-Rice Farmers Association | 15 ha | 25 (Mangyan) | Lowland Rice Production | 25 bags of certified rice seeds, 50 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer), 1 unit hand tractor with trailer |
| Lukutan Farmers Association | 15 ha | 25 (Mangyan) | Lowland Rice Production | 25 bags of certified rice seeds, 50 bottles NPK Micronutrient Foliar Fertilizer (Algafer), 1 unit hand tractor with trailer |
According to Julius Judelito A. Amodia, Municipal Agriculturist of Abra de Ilog, it is timely that the program distributed organic fertilizers as prices of inorganic inputs continue to skyrocket. In addition, the long-term benefits from using organic fertilizers will help the farmers as it improves the condition of the soil and improves its fertility over time compared to chemical inputs.
SAAD provided training on organic agriculture for the beneficiaries in December 2021 in partnership with the LGU to equip the farmers with knowledge and encourage the beneficiaries to engage in organic farming.
Most beneficiaries dwell in geographically disadvantaged areas and are situated in End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC)-identified Barangays (Udalo, Cabacao, and Pinagturilan) in Occidental Mindoro.
Sources: Ian Von A. Yadao – SAAD Area Coordinator, Sta. Cruz, Jhonzell G. Panganiban - SAAD Area Coordinator, Paluan, Abra de Ilog, and Wily Adrian E. Vergara - SAAD Area Coordinator, Abra de Ilog
