AMIDST THE SEEMING hopelessness rooted on years of poverty, the small village of Dalajican, Concepcion, Romblon has proven that there is still a light at the end of the tunnel as some 25 farmers from the LETS Farmers Association demonstrated the power of determination and teamwork in achieving success and a bright future.
Among others, their fruit trees are integrated with a goat production project that is supported by the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture.
But the association’s success didn’t come easy, it first faced immediate obstacles when the project started in 2024. Their goats, initially raised in a communal area, suffered mortalities during a harsh El Niño season and they were only able to recover after the care of the goats were conducted by individual members and their households.
According to LETS president, Augustine Ferranco, “[they] distributed the goats among themselves and the result was good—they were well taken cared of and their numbers increased.”
Looking back, the shift to individual care of the goats, Ferranco cited, yielded impressive results. LETS now boasts 56 healthy goats, including 24 kids, making it the largest herd among the goat production beneficiaries of the government’s SAAD program in Region 4B (Mimaropa).
“Our decision to shift to individual care improved goat health and numbers, strengthening their bond and sense of responsibility. We’re grateful to SAAD for their support. We’re determined to keep working hard,” the association’s president enthused.
The Department of Agriculture, implementor of SAAD, lauded LETS initiative and success as a testament to community-driven development that would inspire other farming communities.
And from this, Ferranco and his group are looking ahead—the association plans to dispose of mature goats, improve health and productivity, expand their fruit tree plantation and explore new markets.
“With our collective efforts, the LETS Farmers Association is poised to become a leading example of sustainable agriculture and community development in the Philippines,” he concluded.