BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office in the Cordillera (DA-RFO CAR) convened to discuss implementation of the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) Program. The meeting held on February 5, 2023 at the DA conference hall was spearheaded by Charles A. Picpican of the Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED).
The 4K Program, a special initiative of the DA in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), is geared towards providing a helping hand to indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) by enhancing agricultural and fisheries-related livelihood opportunities. This includes investments in production inputs and machinery and equipment and qualified community facilities that support production and post-harvest activities, coupled with various support services tailored to the specific needs of ICCs across the country. Moreover, the program focuses on building the capacity of indigenous people organizations (IPOs) in implementing livelihood and enterprise development projects.
The Program caters to farmers and fisherfolks affiliated with indigenous political structures or IPOs recognized by the NCIP. This includes those who possess or are in the process of obtaining their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT).
Further, the 4K Program is comprised of four key components: Social Preparation; Production and Livelihood Assistance; Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development/Product Development; and Program Management.
Initial projects under the Production and Livelihood component centered on the endorsed and approved project proposals of the IPOs on crop, livestock, and poultry production. These initiatives were piloted at the Domolpos-Ansipsip ancestral domain (AD) in Itogon, Benguet; Tubo AD in Abra, and Mabongtot AD in Lubuagan, Kalinga.
Expanding the reach of the Program in Fiscal Year 2023, it included Lusod-Ambasa AD (Itogon, Benguet) and Kadaclan AD (Barlig and Natonin, Mountain Province) with projects focused on crop and livestock production.
For the current year, the Program will cover additional ADs in Apayao. By Leny D. Mendoza