Twelve cooperatives in Maguindanao got upgraded native chickens from the Department of Agriculture-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DA-ARMM) as alternative source of livelihood during the onslaught of El Niño.
Under the Agri-Pinoy Livestock Livelihood Assistance Program, Maguindanao provincial agricultural officer Dr. Salik Panalunsong said this and other interventions are being provided to help beneficiaries have another source of income during the extreme dry spell.
“The recipients, in turn, must build up on and sustain the assistance provided to them so the benefits are for the long run, Panalunsong added.
DA-Maguindanao Livestock chief Mohmin Sulaik said 9 of the 12 cooperatives were from the Salipada K. Pendatun (SKP) namely, Kalimudan Farmers Marketing Cooperative; Kambayabaya Farmers Marketing Cooperative; Lawasabuloy Farmers and Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative; Ligawasan Marsh Farmers and Fisherfolk Makinugon Association; Ligawasan Marsh Farmers Marketing Cooperative; Lumabao Makauyag Peoples Organization; Midkunding Kadtabanga Farmers Producer Cooperative; Pidtiguian Farmers Marketing Cooperative; and Tongol Farmers Association.
The other cooperatives are from the municipalities of Mangudadatu (Darusalam MNLF Multi-Purpose Cooperative), Sultan sa Barongis (Mawalao MNLF Association) and Northern Kabuntalan (Tumaguinting local government).
Regional Agri-Pinoy Livestock Chicken Component coordinator Dr. Raheima Amba said the distribution was the third intervention by the livestock division this year.
Already, four cooperatives have benefited from DA’s livestock intervention programs with 44 chickens each, and 22 chickens each to the other eight cooperatives.
Likewise, it has distributed two batches of goats, cows and carabaos to the cooperative-beneficiaries.
The DA-ARMM Livestock Division will distribute 176 more chickens to five identified cooperatives in Maguindanao under this project, which has a budget of P1 million.
DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said the DA has been promoting organic livestock raising as a component of its National Organic Agriculture Program, and as a supplementary source of income and food for farmers and fisherfolk, especially those in areas that are likely to be hit by calamities, such as drought this summer season.
Written by: Ellalyn De Vera
Post a Comment