From June 6 to 9 2021, Idan again was able to harvest his corn and squash. He earned ₱10,500 from the 3,000 pieces of corn and four times more than his last harvest of squash. The 2,500 pieces of squash earned him a total of ₱125,000.00.
“My income from SAAD livelihood intervention was spent for my son’s wedding. It was used for the dowry and to all expenses needed in the preparation and wedding. As a father, it is my obligation to let my son marry and provide for the family, as a respect to our Muslim tradition,” expressed Idan, who felt very proud.
“I always put my family first. And if I were to compare our life before SAAD, I can say that it was not only the income that improves but also our welfare,” he added.
Idan was very grateful from the day he met the SAAD Area Coordinator in Talipao, Analisa U. Dauring. He said that Dauring was very patient and conducted the orientation before the projects were given to them.
“Ma’am Ann is very supportive from the start until the program was really implemented in our barangay. I cannot express how happy I was when I first received the fencing materials. I was very excited that I immediately installed the fences (in my farm). SAAD is a blessing for us farmers who almost lost our hope to improve our lives,” Idan said.
Hja. Nuriyam Tulawie, barangay chairperson in Tubod also noticed the delight in Idan when he and other farmers received the SAAD assistance.
“I consider him one of the most hardworking farmers here in our barangay, and we are grateful of the success that he has achieved. We thank DA-SAAD for the help,” said the barangay chieftain.
Idan now wants his two daughters to finish school. He has big dreams for his children.
He said, “it is the only thing that I can give to them aside from teaching them some farming skills. I want them to finish their studies and let them do what they really want to do.”
The total project given to Tubod farmers consists of 10 bags of corn (Php 1,730 per bag), 30 bags of unshelled peanuts (Php 1,730), 30 rolls barbwire (Php 2,185.75 per roll); 110 rolls of hogwire (Php 2,000 per roll); 120 bags of organic fertilizer (Php 480 per bag); farm tools consisting 10 pcs of shovel (Php 450 per piece), pick mattock (Php 505 per piece), and scythe (Php 450 per piece); and one cassava grater with presser (Php 181,500 per unit) for communal use. (EDT/RVC/PIA9 with reports from Shara Malaica Ussam/DA-RFO IX, SAAD)
