2 farmers cooperatives in Sorsogon to receive livelihood support from DAR
LEGAZPI CITY– The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) signed a livelihood program agreement to be implemented under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) project in partnership with the two (2) agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBOs) of Sorsogon, the local government unit, City Agriculture Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the City Veterinary Office to increase the household income of farmers by developing and improving their agri-business enterprises.
Sixty (60) farmers-members from the Sorsogon Agro-Aquatic Development Cooperative (SAADECO) in Gimaloto, and the Maharlika Development Cooperative (MADECO) in San Isidro, Bacon District, both in Sorsogon City, were overjoyed when their organizations were chosen as the recipients of the EPAHP project.
DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Nida Santiago said the 2 agrarian cooperatives will receive pigs, carabaos and farm inputs from EPAHP.
“This project of DAR and EPAHP is two-pronged. It seeks to alleviate hunger and poverty in Sorsogon and at the same time help farmers earn additional income from livestock raising aside from their farming activities,” said Santiago.
Santiago said SAADECO will receive 30 pigs while MADECO with eight (8) carabaos.
“Both cooperatives will also receive farm inputs such as boots, raincoats, pails, and basins for use in their livestock raising,” Santiago said.
At present, the DAR is eyeing for good breed and quality pigs and carabaos.
“With the pandemic still in our midst, it is taking some time to find the livestock. It is mostly unavailable right now. But we are hopeful that we will be able to purchase these animals soon and turn it over to the two cooperatives by June,” Santiago said.
Under the agreement, the EPAHAP will allocate and transfer P600,000 to DAR for the implementation of the project. From the P600,000, SAADECO and MADECO will be allocated with P300,000 each.
DAR for its part, will purchase the pigs, carabaos and farm inputs for SAADECO and MADECO. The DAR would also provide training on livestock raising for the two cooperatives.
DAR chief for support services Liza Repotente said the DAR will be responsible for the implementation activities including planning, supervision, and procurement of materials for the establishment and assistance of farmers’ agri-businesses.
"As part of DAR's hunger and poverty reduction program, we assist our farmers in improving their farming technologies through training, and we also connect them to institutional markets where they can bring their products and negotiate better prices for their goods. We call it support services package," Repotente said.
Elizabeth Dimaano, vice-chair of MADECO, and Floribe Macapagal, chairwoman of SAADECO, thanked the DAR for the opportunity which they said will benefit the members of their organizations. Both agreed to play an active role in the implementation of the program.