SIOCON, Zamboanga del Norte — Agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Lituban, Siocon are reaping the benefits of the Siocon-Lituban Watershed Convergence Area, a collaborative project under the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD).
This initiative, involving the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), has significantly improved their livelihoods and strengthened environmental protection efforts.
Launched in November 2022, the convergence area is part of the NCI-SRD, a national strategy that promotes sustainable farming, agroforestry, and ecotourism while protecting the Siocon-Lituban Watershed, a vital irrigation source for rice farmers in the area.
Recent field validation by DAR confirms that over 270 ARBs have seen a 30% increase in income through improved farming practices, diversified crops, better access to inputs, and environmental stewardship.
The JOLIPAMAN Irrigators Association, with 270 members managing 430 hectares of farmland, stands as a model for success. With support from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), DAR, and local government, the group benefits from a seven-kilometer irrigation canal that ensures year-round water supply—enabling two rice cropping cycles annually, even during dry months.
“Even in the dry season, we’re able to plant and harvest rice thanks to the consistent water flow from the watershed,” said Josephine Dumencil, President of the JOLIPAMAN Irrigators Association. “This project sustains our fields and our families.”
Support from DAR’s Climate-Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program has also included a farm tractor, along with training in organic and diversified farming. ARBs now grow rice alongside coconut, vegetables, and fruit trees—enhancing income and strengthening soil and water conservation.
The association also received a farm tractor from DAR under the Climate-Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program (CRFPSP), transforming their traditional farming methods by increasing efficiency, reducing labor costs, and improving crop yields. Additionally, they have benefited from training in organic farming. ARBs shared how the training in agroforestry, organic farming, and enterprise development, along with farm equipment distribution, has helped them become more self-sustaining.
“Aside from rice, we also have coconut trees and vegetables. Now, these fruit trees provide extra income and protect our soil and water sources,” shared Eduardo Romina, an ARB and member of JOLIPAMAN IA in Lituban, Siocon, Zamboanga Del Norte.
“Besides rice, our fruit trees provide extra income and help protect the land,” said Eduardo Romina, ARB member from Lituban. DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer, Rizzel Villanueva, emphasized the broader vision of the program: “Our goal is to build communities that thrive both economically and ecologically. The convergence area under NCI-SRD reflects a shared commitment to sustainability among the participating agencies.”
The Siocon-Lituban Watershed Convergence Area, a testament to the collaborative efforts under the NCI-SRD, continues to serve as a model for inclusive, sustainable rural development—empowering communities today while safeguarding resources for the future. ###