The Department of Agriculture-Central Luzon (DA-3) is continuously helping the indigenous peoples (IPs) in the province to develop their ancestral agricultural lands through a sustainable livelihood program.

Under the “Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran Para sa Kababayang Katutubo” (4Ks), the DA-3, through the distribution of various interventions, is helping the IPs turn their lands into productive, profitable, self-sustained, and developed resilient agricultural enterprises.

In partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) Pampanga Community Service Center, the DA-3 on Tuesday provided the Ayta Mag-Indi IP members of the Mt. Ginilan Agriculture Cooperative in Barangay Mawakat, Floridablanca with some 500 chickens as an initial livelihood provision.

Regional 4Ks focal person Memito Luyun III said on Wednesday aside from livestock raising and production, the IP cooperative is set to receive other project components this year such as fruit-bearing trees, vegetable seeds, farm tools and equipment, and the corresponding capacity-building training.

Luyun said the 4Ks program was launched in Barangay Makawat last June 10 wherein the DA-3 held a technical training on various agriculture technologies, including vegetable production, banana (saba) production, carabao, and chicken raising.

He said the program was also earlier launched in Barangay Villa Maria, Porac, Pampanga where the Ayta Mag-antsi IPs received 450 chickens through the Ugnayan sa Pag-unlad ng Tarik Inc. cooperative.

To ensure sustainability and cultural sensitivity, Luyun said all 4Ks programs in the province went through the principles laid down by NCIP’s pioneering Integrated Ancestral Domains Development Approach (IADDA). (PNA)