To improve the livelihood of farmers in Davao Region’s farthest municipality, the Department of Agriculture regional office (DA-11) turned over six heads of native goats to the Balut Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (BATODA) in Sarangani, Davao Occidental province.

In a statement Monday, Ray Reintar, DA-11 Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer for Davao Occidental, said the goats were handed over to the group Saturday under its Organic Agriculture Program (OAP).

The goats will be raised by the 88 farmer-cum tricycle driver-members of the association for meat production.

The DA, according to Reintar, is promoting goat farming, especially in far-flung areas, as it only requires minimal initial investment since goats only eat tree leaves, grasses, weeds, and agricultural by-products.

“This will also contribute to the growth of the goat industry in the region,” he added.

During the distribution, DA-11 regional OAP coordinator Janice May Seraspe discussed with the group members the proper management and advantages of organic goat production.

Across the region, she said 29 heads of upgraded native goat have been turned over so far to six group beneficiaries in various municipalities.

The BATODA also received vegetable seeds and Madre de Agua seedlings which is a highly-recommended forage for livestock animals.

BATODA chairperson Vicente Mericullo thanked the agency for the assistance given them and reminded each beneficiary to take care and hopefully increase the population of the animals.

Meanwhile, Mayor Adelan de Arce said the assistance was a big help for the municipality as it continues to experience a shortage of meat products.

“I thank DA-11 that despite the challenge of reaching our municipality, their assistance has arrived. This will provide our farmers additional income and improve the quality of goat meat production in Sarangani,” he said. (PNA)