The implementation of the PHP118.75 million worth of anti-poverty projects for the agriculture sector in Eastern Visayas is now in full swing, benefiting 125 farmers’ associations, the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office here reported on Thursday.

As of middle of 2024, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) regional program management support office said that out of the PHP118.75 million allocation this year, a total of PHP88.7 million was obligated in the first half of the year.

At least 34.4 percent of the obligated outlay, or PHP30 million, had been disbursed. Eastern Visayas ranked 5th in overall performance in the mid-year review, according to the DA regional office.

“SAAD Eastern Visayas envisioned farmer groups by the year 2028 to be self-sustaining and successfully operating the enterprises under clustering, thus achieving food security and alleviating them from poverty,” DA-SAAD regional assistant focal person Larry Sultan said in a statement.

This year’s funding carried out 102 livelihood projects, 60 social preparation activities, 44 market-related training, and 54 specialized training for farmers’ groups across the region.

For 2024, SAAD Eastern Visayas, which covers 60 towns from the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar, identified various livelihood packages related to corn, high-value crops, livestock, and poultry.

Sultan said they are committed to fast-track deliveries of production support, ensuring the timely allocation of funds for projects.

Market connections and other market-related training will also be completed by the third quarter of the year in preparation for the establishment of community-based enterprises.

This year’s allocation is higher than the PHP87.1 million budget last year for the 65 livelihood projects under the SAAD program in Eastern Visayas.

The program focuses on towns belonging to the 5th and 6th income classes, guided by four core components: social preparation, food production and livelihood, marketing assistance and enterprise development, and program management.

The project prioritizes the marginalized rural farming and fishing communities in the country, targeting two essential services that advance not only the welfare of the disadvantaged segment of the population but also the local agricultural development of the rural communities. (PNA)