The Department of Agriculture in Region 7 turned over 30 upgraded heifer or female cows to farmers in three municipalities of Negros Oriental.
The female cows, worth P39,900 each, were distributed to the municipalities of Pamplona, Mabinay, and Guihulngan City, at 10 heads each.
DA-7 livestock coordinator Voltaire Zeam Amper said the animals are part of the Expanded Livestock and Poultry Production and Livelihood Project for Covid-19 Response, under the Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (Alpas) Kontra sa COVID-19 Bayanihan I, a government press release said yesterday.
The project, he said, ensures that during the pandemic, the farmers will be able to produce their own food and have the opportunity to raise additional income for their families.
“Qualified beneficiaries of these animals for dispersal are farmer associations and members, who are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA),” Amper said.
Sarah Perocho, agricultural program coordinating officer of DA, said the heifers were delivered and distributed to the Fatima Farmer Association of Pamplona, Farm Family Association of Mabinay, and the Kapunungang Makugihong Mag-uuma of Guihulngan City.
“We really tried our best to deliver all these animals to the farmers as they are waiting for these. Also, we consider the health of the animals,” Perocho said.
Municipal agriculturist Leilanie Malacapay of Mabinay said the farmer-beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the DA for the livelihood project they received.
They are grateful to DA, especially to Secretary William Dar, for selecting their association as one of the beneficiaries of the heifer cows. We hope that they will continue supporting the farmers, Malacapay said.
Amper also said that, in Bohol, 30 heads of heifer were already delivered to farmers.
They are also awaiting the delivery of another 24 upgraded buffalos. “For Siquijor, 19 heads of heifer were also distributed,” Amper said.*