Three farmers’ associations with 75 members from two towns in the Caraga Region received over PHP3.7 million worth of interventions from the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) in a two-day distribution activity that concluded Wednesday.

The groups include the San Antonio Farmers Organization (SAFO) with 25 members from Remedios T. Romualdez town in Agusan del Norte, and the San Juan Abaca Farmers Association and United Farmers Association of Camp Edward (UFACE) with a combined 50 members in Alegria, Surigao del Norte.

“The beneficiaries are expected to start the planting of abaca and cacao this month as they received the needed planting materials during the distribution activities,” DA-13 said in a statement Thursday.

The aid was provided through the DA-13 Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program, which is in its second phase of implementation.

DA-13 said the three groups received a total aid of PHP3.76 million worth of farm support packages and implements consisting of fertilizers, pesticides, farm tools and knapsack sprayers.

In a separate statement, the organizations recognized the continuing efforts of the government in providing support to the farmers in the region.

“The interventions we received will help us succeed in abaca and cacao production. We are thankful to the government for the assistance we received through the DA-SAAD program,” SAFO said.

Members of the UFACE, meanwhile, said they will work hard to fully develop their ventures into high-value crops and help augment the income of their members. (PNA)