Around 200 farmers in Davao Oriental, Philippines will benefit from a Php2.3 mn project funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser Peace Process (Opapp)
The funds are under a project called the Pamana programme on livelihood interventions. Under the project, 40,000 rubber seedlings will be planted on 200 ha of farmland in three of Davao Oriental’s provinces. Aside from seedling, 1,100 bags of organic fertiliser, 200 bottles of organic foliar fertiliser, and 96 pieces of farming tools will also be given out, according to local reports.
Governor Corazon N. Manlayon is convinced that sustainable livelihood is also the key to lasting peace in the area.
“Lasting peace can be achieved if the basic needs of the people are addressed. I am convinced more than ever that winning peace is just winning the hearts and minds of the people and a simple way of winning hearts is being sensitive and responsive to what matters to them, ” she said.
She also urged the farmers to work this to their advantage and said that “the government is not asking for anything in return but your cooperation.”