CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 11 (PIA) – Dr. Andrew Orais, of the agriculture department faced some 40 farmer beneficiaries of the Special Areas for Agricultural Development (SAAD) in Catbalogan, May 10 .
Orais, who is the OIC–Assistant Regional Director for Operations said that they need to consult the farmers as to their need and the support.
The farmers will be given support to improve the quality of their products and eventually improve their family income, said Orais as he spoke to PIA.
The intervention that comes from the program include production support services such as rice and corn seeds, fertilizers; extension or training support and technology demonstration on the production of rice, corn, high value crops, organic farming and livestock; irrigation support through the provision of pump and engine set; and provision of other agricultural equipment or facilities.
Samarnon farmers present in the workshop proposed production of rice, corn ube, livestock, poultry and others.
”The project has a fund of Php 50 Million and that Php 25 M is now in the provinces’ coffers,” said Orais.
Orais is optimistic that President Duterte’s dream for the Samar provinces to be excluded in the ten poorest provinces will be realized through SAAD.
He appealed to the Samarnon farmers to take advantage of the opportunity as he would also want change in their lives.
He said that perhaps after the term of Pres. Duterte, the three Samar provinces will be delisted from the top ten poorest.
This can be done, he said because the SAAD program is focused, then there is a group to oversee the operation and implementation of the SAAD program.
