NORTHERN Mindanao agriculture department has made its rounds of validating recipients for its livestock and poultry production and livelihood project starting July 20.

“This is to ensure a stable source of food and livelihood during this health crisis,” said Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)-10 livestock program coordinator Ma. Lourdes M. Sypiecco.

Last April, Secretary William D. Dar issued a memorandum directing agencies, bureaus, regional offices, and banner programs to refocus all of its activities and budget under the General Appropriations Act to provide programs and activities as a response to the effects brought by COVID-19.

“The program seeks to expand production areas as well as provide assistance to beneficiaries in producing their food and allowing them to gain additional income amid the ongoing pandemic.” Shared Sypiecco.

With this, the Expanded Livestock and Poultry Production and Livelihood Project for COVID-19 Response are provided under Memorandum Circular no. 21 series of 2020.

Through said interventions, DA through its Livestock Program is set to give out one module Free Range Chicken (1:5 male to a female) and 3 bags of feeds per qualified beneficiary around September-October, this year.

Potential beneficiaries are members of farmer-cooperatives and associations, with at least 15 members who were interviewed and evaluated accordingly in the different provinces of Region 10 such as Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Lanao del Norte, Camiguin and Bukidnon to be determined after its validation, August 4-5. (Recthie Paculba/DA10)