OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, June 13, 2022 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) awarded Php 1,106,856.00 worth of corn production packages to 116 new beneficiaries to boost their production.
56 Alangan-Mangyan corn farmers of Samahan ng Katutubo Magsasaka sa Kulasisi at Kumiray (SAKAMAKU) will benefit from 74 sacks of Hybrid Yellow Corn seeds and three (3) units of pump and engine. The association has an estimated land area of 50 hectares of corn plantation.
In addition, 73 bags of corn seeds and three units of pump and engine were awarded to Cigaras Irrigators Farmers Association (CIFA) consisting of 60 Tagalog farmers cultivating a cumulative area of 80 ha for corn production.
Table 1. Interventions awarded to SAKAMAKU and CIFA FY 2022.
| Association | Members | Quantity | Intervention | Total Cost (Php) |
| SAKAMAKU | 56 (Alangan-Mangyan) | 74 bags (9 kg/bag) | Hybrid Yellow Corn Seeds | 255,152.00 |
| 3 units | Pump and Engine with Complete Accessories | 300,000.00 | ||
| CIFA | 60 (Tagalog) | 73 bags (9kg/bag) | Hybrid Yellow Corn Seeds | 251,704.00 |
| 3 units | Pump and Engine with Complete Accessories | 300,000.00 | ||
| Total | 116 | 1,106,856.00 |
CIFA was registered as a legitimate working group under DOLE in 2017 and SAKAMAKU in 2019. In 2022, both associations were identified to be part of SAAD program’s expansion in the province along with other newly-formed groups in Sablayan and Calintaan.
According to Mr. Oliver B. Cosme, SAAD Area Coordinator of Sablayan, the delivery of seeds was timely for the planting season. Farmers have started land preparation while others just finished theirs, waiting for seeds.
Mr. Romulo Ramos, Chairperson of CIFA expressed his gratitude as it was the association’s first time receiving farm equipment, “Ito ang unang beses na nakatanggap kami ng makina. Matagal na kaming hirap sa patubig dahil umaasa lang kami sa buhos ulan saka sa ilog. Malaking tulong ito para sa amin.”
(This is the first time that we have received farm machinery. Irrigation has been difficult for us because we only rely for rain and the river for water supply. [The equipment] will be helpful for our group).
The Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA) of Sablayan assisted with the turnover activity headed by the Municipal Agriculturist Mr. Reynaldo Factor and staff.
Members of SAKAMAKU and CIFA are situated in Brgy. Batong Buhay and Brgy. Ilvita which are identified as End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) areas in Occidental Mindoro.
Source: Oliver B. Cosme, SAAD Area Coordinator - Sablayan
