TABUK CITY, Kalinga, March 16, 2018 – – Believed to increase income and ensure savings for every farmer family, the Agricultural Training Institute-Cordillera Administrative Region (ATI-CAR) provides farmers with livelihood opportunities through its diversified livelihood projects adopting natural ways of farming.
The Rural Group of Transformation (RGT), a farmer group in sitio Saudi, barangay Bulo organized in 2009 received 30 piglets from ATI-CAR in partnership with the Office of the City Agricultural Services (OCAS).
Bulo was identified a project recipient because of its high poverty incidence due to limited access to livelihood programs as indicated in the results of the Community Needs Assessment.
Michelle Lumas-i, OCAS Agricultural Technologist told that that the RGT, with 32 members from age bracket 30-62, whose members own an average farm holding of one hectare also received grower pellets.
‘’Capability building through training and technical assistance will be provided to ensure the sustainability of the project. And to reduce the risk and ensure sustainability, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the implementing agency and the beneficiaries will be undertaken to address issues that may arise before, during and after project completion,’’ she mentioned.
The budget requirement for the full implementation of the project, Lumas-i disclosed was P350,000.00 of which half was shouldered by ATI-CAR while the rest was this LGU’s counterpart.
Asked of the importance of natural ways of farming, Lumas-i replied that it can maximize profit even in a limited area of production and cost of production will be reduced in the long run while improving the soil as well as the quality of produce.
Likewise, this farming approach, she said, mitigates the effects of climate change as this discourages the use of unfavorable practices which could contribute to it.
She also added that this livelihood would provide holistic intervention through the provision of both inputs and technology. This means that adoption of diversified and natural ways of farming systems in the project hopes to establish a show window of a sustainable livelihood adopting an all-inclusive approach that gives the members access to fresh and healthy food for their families and consumers.
On same date, the ATI-CAR also gave five gilts and hog pellets and a vegetable and fruit tree production project for 27 members of 4H Club Tuga. **Darwin S. Serion/Tabuk City Information Office
