As 2017 progresses, more and more farmer organizations who proposed for a Small Livelihood Project (SLP) under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) continue to see the realization of what they have hoped for under PRDP.

Last July 13, 2017, the Bacarra Zanjera Irrigators Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BZIMPC) received eight piglets and 200 bags of hog feeds during the awarding of the first module for its Corn and Livestock Integration and Trading Enterprise which they have proposed under PRDP. The awarding was held at Alona Jean Farm Supply, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

Based on the business plan, the Bacarra trading enterprise has a total investment cost of P1,347,500. Through the enterprise, corn production inputs such as hybrid corn seeds, vermi compost, and organic foliar fertilizer will be provided to the coop’s farmer-members. This will provide them an additional income of P2,802 for every 2,000 square meters of corn production.

Aside from corn production inputs, the enterprise shall also have three cycles of swine production and marketing. The hogs will be fed with organically processed starter, grower, and finisher feeds. This will translate into P9,242.25 or 282 percent additional income for the recipients after one year.

According to Mr. Rolando Monterey, Vice Chairman of the BZIMPC, the PRDP-SLP is truly a great help for the farmers since they need not worry anymore on cash to be able to invest on said livelihood. The enterprise is an opportunity for the farmers to recover from their losses when Typhoon Lando affected their farmlands.

Also, with the inclusion of crop insurance as part of the enterprise, the beneficiaries feel more secured now from losses should their production be again affected by typhoon.

The BZIMPC is an established farmers’ organization in Ilocos Norte with 270 members. Its existing enterprises include, rice processing, buying of palay and corn, rental of vehicles, drying of various crops. The Cooperative also operates a Valor 500 Store and Rice Processing Complex 1 and 2.

Meanwhile, two Farm Mechanization Service Facilities under the PRDP-SLP were also consecutively awarded to Lumaban Agrarian Reform Cooperative in Burgos, Ilocos Sur and San Pablo Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Balaoan, La Union on July 17-18, 2017.

Under the Farm Mechanization Service Facility Enterprise, the farmer beneficiaries received a four-wheel tractor, cage roller, rotary tiller, and trailer. The enterprise is expected to decrease their production costs through discounts in land preparation and hauling. Each Farm Mechanization Service Facility has a total investment cost of P1,200,000.

For the Lumaban ARC, the enterprise shall increase the income of the farmers by 6 percent per cropping or by P2,324.00. It will also generate at least three jobs per cropping wherein a tractor operator, helper, and project manager shall be hired.

For the San Pablo MPC, the enterprise will provide an additional P2,373-income per hectare to beneficiaries. Likewise, the machinery will create seven jobs through the hiring of tractor operator, helper, PMC Chairman, Treasurer, Bookkeeper, Auditor, and Manager.

In total, Ilocos Region has 57 approved SLPs under the PRDP. All are expected to be awarded to the proponent farmer organizations before the end of 2017. ### (Dessa U. Estrada and Vida V. Cacal, RPCO1 InfoACE Unit)