The Department of Agriculture (DA) has recently released the guidelines of its National Livestock Program’s (NLP) specific for the project grants submitted to avail of the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Program. The guidelines is intended “to level up the production of small-hold farmers.”
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 according to the DA-LEED). The same program will provide technical assistance to the small-hold farmers in elevating their production to an enterprise level by value adding and amplifying production.” Under the LEED Program, DA has committed the following:
1) 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;
2) Provided P1.875 million to produce duck, meat and eggs. The package covers 500 heads of hens and 100 drakes, animal housing, incubator with hatcher and starting feeds and biologics;
3) Allocated P1.5 million for beef cattle, covering 20 heads of animal stocks, forage chopper and silage bags and biologics to produce meat or
4) Allotted P1.5 million package for carabao meat or fatteners. The package includes 20 heads of animal stocks, forage chopper and silage bags and biologics;
5) Provided P2.5 million package for goat or sheep, which will cover 25 does/ewes and two bucks/rams, animal housing, forage chopper and biologics;
6) Provides P1 million package for rabbit including 200 heads, animal housing or cages and feeds and biologics.
Program funds will come from the general appropriations of the DA-regional field offices (RFOs) in partnership with eligible and qualified farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs). A memorandum of agreement (MOA) a 1-year effectivity will be signed by the FCAs and LGUs to delineate their respective roles and responsibilities. Signatories in the MOA shall see to it that their roles and duties and responsibilities are complied with, funds are properly, and project is completed as agreed.
MY COMMENT:
The DA-LEED Program under the umbrella National Livestock Program (NLP) is seen to have dual effects: provide livelihood/family revenue and a response to food security. Very critical is the strict adherence to the tenets of the MOA signed by the FCAs and the LGUs – taking the lesson of an earlier failed DA program on animal dispersal!
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