BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga through the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) Program has recently turned-over the two Goat Multiplier Projects to two Indigenous Peoples (IP) groups in Agusan del Sur. The Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) 136 Bunawan Manobo Ancestral Domain Management Council (BMADCI) of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur and the CADT 078 Cabantao Maligaya Marfil Pamintigan Caulisihan Maputi Masabong (CaMMPaCaMM) Ancestral Manobo Tribal Association each received 22 heads of 75% upgraded goats. Of the 22 heads, 20 are female while the other two are male.

In addition, the CADT 136 also received from the DA a total of 188 bags of certified rice seeds with 250 bags of inorganic fertilizer in support of their rice production project. They also received four units of chicken multiplier project with each unit comprising 120 heads free range chicken out of which 100 are female and 20 are male. Each unit also came with an incubator and feeds. Overall, the interventions given to CADT 136 totaled to the amount of P4,750,500.

Also, aside from the goat project, CADT 078 also received 40 bags of hybrid corn seeds, 140 bags of inorganic fertilizer, one unit corn sheller, and one unit compact corn mill in support of their corn production project. They also received various vegetable seeds and farm tools and equipment for vegetable production. Moreover, the group also received four units of chicken multiplier project in which each unit also consisted of 120 heads of free range chicken. The total cost of the said projects also amounted to P4,750,500.

DA-Caraga’s 4K Program Coordinator Edelmira R. Luminarias said the interventions are meant to provide livelihood to the members of the IP groups.

“It is part of the DA’s initiative to let our IP brothers and sisters feel that they are being given importance by the government,” Luminarias said.

Meanwhile, DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo said that in pursuing a more developed and modern agriculture in the country, the Department is implementing various programs that assist and provide opportunities to all stakeholders who are in need. 

“As we work our way to achieving our goal, we are also doing our best not to leave anyone behind, we are all together in our quest for a progressive agriculture sector in our nation,” Dir. Monteagudo said. (DA-RFO XIII, RAFIS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)