Bohol Farmers’ Association receives support from DOLE for agri-business expansion
May 2021
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) turned over agricultural equipment to the Alejawan Microsavers and Gardeners Association (AMAGA) of Jagna, Bohol, to support the livelihoods of local farmers. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
11 May 2021, (city, province) - Alejawan Microsavers and Gardeners Association (AMAGA) receives livelihood support from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the expansion of AMAGA’s agri-business endeavors.
The DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program and Emergency Employment Programs (DILEEP) turned over tractors, livestock feed, live chicks, broilers and other farming equipment amounting to P487,390 to AMAGA to support its current projects.
The turnover was conducted as part of a larger program from DOLE, wherein livelihood support amounting to P11 million will be distributed to 23 farmers’ associations. AMAGA was among the first recipients of DOLE’s livelihood support.
AMAGA is a farmers’ association based in Jagna, Bohol. Organized with the help of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines’ Sustainable Farm to Table Program in 2018. The support received from DOLE will be used to boost AMAGA’s project, titled “Vegetable Salad, Broiler Production, and Marketing Enterprise,” which aims to expand the processing capacity of Jagna’s community food shed.
Members of AMAGA and the Jagna community met with DOLE to receive the agricultural equipment that was turned over to them. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
A low-cost agriculture innovation, the food shed incorporates farming techniques such as container farming, crop diversification and rainwater harvesting systems to provide communities with nutritious food throughout the year, with little cost to both land and capital.
The project will allow the Jagna community to process produce grown in their food shed. The community will also be connected to local markets for them to sell their processed goods.
Initially slated for completion in October 2020, the expansion project was delayed due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The livelihood support provided by DOLE will jumpstart the project toward completion this 2021.
The food shed of Jagna, Bohol. The shed is maintained by AMAGA, and boosts the food and livelihood security of the people of Jagna. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
“We experienced many roadblocks over the past year, but our commitment to our farmers remains the same. We are thankful for the support being provided by the DOLE. The fruits of this grant will help the farmers of AMAGA prosper well into the future,” said WWF-Philippines Project Manager Monci Hinay.
Through the Sustainable Farm to Table Program, WWF-Philippines has helped farming communities across the country to organize and establish agri-businesses through both social and technological innovations. The conservation organization has overseen the construction of food sheds in many Philippine provinces, and has reached out to thousands of farmers.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Moncini Hinay
Sustainable Food Systems Program Manager
mhinay@wwf.org.ph
For media arrangements, please contact:
Ms. Angelica Pago
Integrated Communications Manager
apago@wwf.org.ph
+63 949 889 1332
Ms. Chezka Guevarra
Public Relations, Media, and Events Assistant Manager
cguevarra@wwf.org.ph
+63 927 656 6436
