Vegetables gardening has opened the door for recipients of cattle dispersal project to have steady income.
While waiting for the cattle dispersal project to go full blast, the Maibo Multi-Purpose Association (MMPA) in Tantangan, South Cotabato considered vegetable gardening as their alternative livelihood that could give them income in a short span of time.
“When our association was qualified to be recipient of the livelihood assistance from MRDP [Mindanao Rural Development Program] we agreed to have the cattle production as this would require minimal management on our part,” said Annie Bajade.
MRDP is a poverty alleviation initiative of the Department of Agriculture (DA) that aims to economic opportunities among its covered communities.
Following the animal dispersal scheme where the offspring is given to the association as repayment, members are aware that it would take awhile before they can profit from the cattle they are tending.
“Although we are optimistic that the cattle production project will boost our meager income, we cannot fully enjoy its benefits just yet. With this, we agreed to include vegetable production in our project so they could earn while waiting for income from their cattle,” Bajade said.
To cut production cost, the association applied the natural farming technology using organic fertilizers and insecticides such as fermented plant juice (FPJ), indigenous microorganisms (IMO), and fermented fruit juice (FFJ). Companion crop such as marigold and lemon grass are also planted along with vegetables to serve as insect repellent.
“We are also using vermicast as our organic fertilizer which we produced from vermicomposting utilizing animal waste, weeds, and other farm wastes,” Bajade added.
The association maintains a 1.7 hectares lot planted to lowland vegetables such as eggplant, ampalaya, okra, beans, tomato, squash and kadyos (pigeon pea). Each member takes turn of tending the vegetable plots.
Members have also their own individual gardens which based on record could give them an income ranging from P2, 000 – P10, 000 a month depending on the yield of their crop.
“Local agriculture office trained us on organic farming which is not only cost-efficient but it also enable us to produce vegetables that are safe for our own consumption,” Bajade said.
“It is already our practice to meet every Thursday to either to listen to lectures or discuss organizational policies,” the chairperson said.
“The project did not only provide beneficiaries alternative income but also developed their self-esteem through financial security and unity among members,” said project facilitator Dominica Enano.
Mayor Arnold Garingo also shared the same observation saying, “MRDP projects implemented in our town have brought not only economic opportunities but also social transformation among its beneficiaries.”
Barangay captain Adelino Sinoy his office is also putting its stake in the program as the release of their internal revenue allotment (IRA) depends on the project’s successful implementation.
“We had an agreement with the municipal government that the association under the barangay can access livelihood funds but barangay officials must ensure its successful implementation otherwise the amount allotted will be deducted from our IRA,” said Sinoy who also heads the projects’ community-based monitoring and evaluation group.
Having learned that beneficiaries are now regularly earning form their vegetable production he is confident that next year’s IRA allocation for his barangay will be intact.
“I am also happy to learn that in just one year, a cattle has already bore an offspring while some are on its way,” he said.
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