Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte | Siayan Pangkabuhayan Federation of (Consumers) Cooperatives (SIAPAFEDCO) was the first of the three (3) farmer groups in Zamboanga del Norte to have availed of DA-PRDP’s enterprise development subproject aimed at helping farmers increase their productivity and enhance family income.

This enterprise support is part of the DA-PRDP’s intervention to address lack of competencies on hog care management, unsustainable swine production due to high cost of basic inputs, climate-resilient infrastructure, market linkages and training needs of backyard.

By providing input provision, and trainings and capacity building to the subproject beneficiaries, they were expected to adopt proper care management practices, organic production practice and GAHP among backyard, and training assessment and skills technology.

A member of Dumpilas Consumers Cooperative (DUCONCO), Barangay Captain Elma Mendoza expressed her high regard to the government’s assistance to the farmers. According to her, the swine production and marketing enterprise provided the farmers with other source of income. While cultivating their lands, raising swine on the side, they earned additional income.

Meanwhile, DUCONCO was among the 4 consumer-cooperatives under SIAPAFEDCO venturing on the swine production and marketing enterprise worth P6.3 million under Investment in Rural Enterprises and Agricultural and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) component of DA-PRDP at a 60-20-20 counterpartying scheme from World Bank, Government of the Philippines (GOP) thru DA and PLGU of Zamboanga del Norte, respectively. The recipient coop also provided 20% equity on top enterprise cost.

The other 3 member consumers cooperative were: 1) GOCONCO of Barangay Gonayen, 2) PACONCO for Paranglumba’s and 3) SACONCO for Sayaw’s.

Now on its 3rd year of implementation, SIAPAFEDCO decided to open a meat shop to cater the excess swine produced of its member-coops which were not sold to contracted buyers.

In times of COVID-19 pandemic, Regional Executive Director Rad Donn L. Cedeño regarded farmers and fisherfolk as “our heroes” because despite the risk, they continued to provide foods for the people ensuring the continues production of fish, fruits, meats, and vegetables.

Meanwhile, Salug Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Kapunongan sa Mag-uuma sa Paraiso are the two other farmers groups venturing on swine production and marketing enterprise in the Zamboanga del Norte province. (Remai Alejado/ Joy Montecalvo)