Sibuyanon farmers receive farm inputs from DAR

True to its mission, the DAR provides a glimmer of hope for the 457 farmer-beneficiaries in Sibuyan Island of Romblon. Amidst the frenzy of the COVID 19 pandemic, DAR Provincial Office distributed vegetable seeds and fertilizers to farmers from the municipalities of Magdiwang, Cajidiocan, and San Fernando.

“Apart from other relief assistance distributed earlier,  farm production assistance provided to the local-farmers in Sibuyan or the "Sibuyanons" was part of the implementation of DAR's PaSSOver: ARBold Move Project as a quick response to the impacts brought by the pandemic", PARPO Camilo Claro Pacquing emphasized.

This project according to PARPO Pacquing, who is also a native of Sibuyan, will push beneficiaries to continue their way of life and sustain their farming activities. " Pakbet (vegetable) seeds will complement rice and coconut farming in the island not only a source of food but also as additional income until we recover from the ill effects of the crisis", PARPO Pacquing stressed.

Edwin Anuncio, one of the farmer-beneficiaries and a father of 11 expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm towards the Department’s initiative. "Ang pagsasaka po ang bumubuhay sa aking 11 na anak kaya't malaking pasasalamat po namin dahil naabot ninyo kami lalo na ngayong panahon na hindi namin alam kung saan kami kukuha ng panggastos para sa aming sakahan. Sa tulong nyong abono at binhi may pagkukunan na kami ng pagkain at dagdag na kita".

With the project, the DAR-assisted ARB organization in the island will act as the conduit for the marketing of produce of the ARBs. " The Magdiwang ARC and San Fernando ARC Cooperative will extend help and affiliate those ARBs to be a member of the cooperative", PARPO Pacquing added.

The activity pertaining to the distribution of agricultural inputs will be extended to Tablas Island where a total of 1,308 expectant ARBs anticipate seeds and fertilizer distribution.

RIO-MIMAROPA