DA issues guidelines on project grants to raise farm output

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued guidelines on project grants to level up the production of small-hold farmers.

In its latest memorandum circular, the DA published the implementing guidelines on the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Program of the National Livestock Program (NLP).

“The LEED Program intends to strengthen the contribution of the livestock and poultry sub-sectors in increasing the income of small-hold farmers through the distribution of livestock and poultry modules as grant,” the agency said.

“Moreover, the LEED Program will provide technical assistance to the small-hold farmers in elevating their production to an enterprise level by value adding and amplifying production,” it said.

Under the program, the DA has allotted P2 million to produce chicken meat and eggs by providing 500 heads of hens and 100 roosters, animal housing, incubator with hatcher and starting feeds and biologics.

For duck or itik pinas, the agency is providing a P1.875-million budget to produce for duck meat and eggs. The package covers 500 heads of hens and 100 drakes, animal housing, incubator with hatcher and starting feeds and biologics.

The DA allocated P1.5 million for beef cattle, covering 20 heads of animal stocks, forage chopper and silage bags and biologics to produce meat or fatteners.

It has set a P1.5-million package for carabao meat or fatteners. The package will include 20 heads of animal stocks, forage chopper and silage bags and biologics.

The DA will provide a P2.5-million package for goat or sheep, which will cover 25 does/ewes and two bucks/rams, animal housing, forage chopper and biologics.

Rabbit will have a P1-million package for 200 heads, animal housing or cages, and feeds and biologics.

These will be funded from the general appropriations of the DA-regional field offices (RFOs) under the NLP.

The DA said it would adopt clustering and consolidation approach to implement the LEED program.

The program will be implemented by the DA’s RFOs in partnership with eligible and qualified farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs).

A memorandum of agreement (MOA), which will have a one-year effectivity, will be signed with FCAs and LGUs to define their respective roles and responsibilities.

“The implementers must ensure that their roles and duties and responsibilities are complied with, funds are utilized property, and the project is completed in the agreed period,” it said.