After a successful demonstration of the Bitaug Small Coconut Farmers Association (BISMACOFA) in Bitaug, Enrique Villanueva with peanut production in 2021, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) expanded its Community and Empowerment thru Science and Technology or CEST project in Maria, Siquijor.

With a grant of P1-M, the Liloan-Saguing Farmers and Fishers Association (LISAFFA) became another beneficiary of the DOST project.

On July 26-27, 2022, the members of LISAFFA underwent a training on Peanut Production with Siquijor State College as the initiator being the implementing agency of such project.

Representatives from Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), DOST Siquijor Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC), Municipal Local Govenment Unit (MLGU)and Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAO) of Maria, Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Saguing, Maria, Siquijor were present during the training.

Dr. Philna Palongpalong, the project leader from SSC said: “I am priviliged to continue as an agent of DOST for giving a livelihood starter for farmers and fishers alike. It is with great hope that we could duplicate what has been a successful pursuit on peanut production in Bitaug, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor.”

DOST-Siquijor Provincial Director Engr. Mario de la Peña noted that “what DOST is doing in Siquijor is to come up with a major commodity to focus on – which is peanut production. The vision is to create a value chain on peanuts which will be sustained through the informed application of science and technology.”

Currently, the members of LISAFFA are into land preparation, perfection of lease agreement, and by first week of September 2022, they will begin to plant peanuts on a four-hectare farm.