BUTUAN CITY -- In line with the celebration of the National Farmers and Fisherfolk Month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga spearheaded the awarding of the civil society organization (CSO) Certifcate of Accreditation to select CSOs in the region on May 15, marking them as official partners of the DA in the co-implementation of agricultural programs, projects, and activities.

Ensuring agriculture programs are effectively carried out, 10 CSOs from the region represented by their chairpersons received their accreditation certificates from Regional Executive Director, Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate Jr., with Farmer Director Christopher H. Lindo.

These are the 10 CSOs in Butuan City and Agusan del Norte namely,  Saint Gabriel Multipurpose Cooperative (SGMPC) of Tiniwisan, Butuan City; One Karaga Community Credit Cooperative (OKCCO) of Limaha New Road, Butuan City; Libas Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative of Libas, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte; Rural Improvement Club of Alubihid, Agusan del Norte, Incorporated (RICAA) from Buenavista, Agusan del Norte and Manhon Agriculture Cooperative (MACO) of Sitio Pirada, Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City.

The province of Agusan del Sur includes the Filipinas Palm Oil Plantations Inc. ARB Multipurpose Cooperative (FPPI ARB MPC) of San Francisco and Katibuan San Luis Agriculture Cooperative (KASALCO) from Poblacion , San Luis, Agusan del Sur.

The Supreme Datu-Pangulong Dalangpanan of Bathalism Global Mission and Ethnic Tribal Alliance (BAGMETA) Incorporated of Upper Laguna, Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands is the lone recipient from the province of Dinagat Islands.

Further, the CSOs of the province of Surigao del Norte are the Mabini United Farmers’ Cooperative (MAUNFACO) of Mabini, Placer and Fishermen Cooperative of Consolacion (FISH Coop) of Consolacion, Dapa, Surigao del Norte.

Regional Technical Director for Operations, Rebecca R. Atega challenged the newly accredited CSOs to strengthen their partnership with the agency and find sustainable ways to improve and support their members and the organization.

Moreover, six (6) farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) also received various interventions from the DA to wit, 

From the Corn Program, the Nagkahugpong Mag-uuma sa Magbalate from Malapong, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte received (1) one unit of 4WD Farm Tractor worth P3 million.

From the High-Value Crops Development Program, the Butuan City Fruits and Vegetable Federation, Inc. of Tiniwisan, Butuan City received four  units of Multi-Cultivator worth P872,000.

Kangyat Multi-purpose Cooperative from Labnig, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, and  Farmers Alternative Self Reliance MPC (FARMSCO) of San Vicente, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur received P10 million each for the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) project under the Livestock Program. This includes the establishment of a bio-secure facility, procurement of 300 heads of pigs, feeds and biologics support, and disinfectant. 

Meanwhile, Sibagat Organic Farmers Association of Poblacion, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur received one unit of hauling truck worth P1.2 million in addition to the two (2) Story OA Hub Building valued at P3.1 million from the Organic Agriculture Program.

In support of the Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration of the National Rice Program (NRP), the Butuan City Barangay Lemon Integrated Farmers Association Inc. of Barangay Lemon, Butuan City received the Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration Inputs for 100 hectares worth P1.4 million.

Director Oñate said that the interventions given to the beneficiaries will result to productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of the FCA’s farming practices, with future result of ultimately improving the livelihood of the associations. (Kent Warren H. Fugoso, RAFIS DA Caraga/PIA Caraga)