GENERAL MACARTHUR, EASTERN SAMAR - To engage the farmers in collaborative community development, the Department of Agriculture—Special Area for Agricultural Development Program recently conducted a Participatory Rural Appraisal activity in Barangay Limbujan, General Macarthur, Eastern Samar.
Barangay Limbujan is among the 30 barangays located in Macarthur, a 5th-class municipality in Eastern Samar. It takes an hour's hike from the base of the mountain to reach Limbajun, with a distance of 3–4 km to the top. Approximately a population of 240 reside in the barangay.
The three-day activity, held from February 6 to 8, 2024, was attended by 20 participants from the Limbujan Farmers Association. They are one of the 10 prospective farmer associations for the SAAD Program Phase 2 interventions of the SAAD Provincial Project Management Support Office (PPMSO) in Eastern Samar.
During the village mapping, it was highlighted that Brgy. Limbujan has vast virgin forest land and abundant biodiversity, with sightings of monkeys and tarsiers, according to the locals.
The residents' primary source of income is farming, particularly crops and vegetables. Cassava and sweet potato are their staple foods, with rice as a secondary staple, along with bananas. As vegetables thrive in their land, they aspire to transition to organic farming to preserve natural soil fertility and avoid contamination.
In her speech, Ms. Emalyn Somono, Municipal Agriculturist, shared that this could be a turning point for the community if chosen as a beneficiary of the SAAD program. This opportunity will also open doors to other agencies' assistance. She also expressed the commitment of the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist to support the community.
Once the appropriate project is determined, the Limbujan Farmers Association will receive training related to the components of SAAD, including Social Preparation, Food Production and Livelihood, Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED), and Program Management.
Source: Arnold Nombre, IO II
Writer: Lester Mark A. Lora, APO I