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Grameen Rice-Finance
(2002) by SEKAP, Inc.

Reforestation
(1998-2002) by FCI

Sustainable Agriculture
(1998-2002) by SWCF

Rice Farmers Cooperative / Carabao Dispersal
(1998-2002) by SJP

Credit Cooperative
(2000-2002) by DLRLCDFI

Women's Handicrafts (2002) / Rice Cooperative
(1996-2001) by PBSP

Vegetable Farmers Cooperatives
(1998-2002) by AKAP

Women's Wastepickers Enterprise (2001) by JVOFI

Entrepreneurs Cooperative
(1998-2002) by MRMF-TRESP

Rice Farmers Association
(2001) by FAPBAPI

Credit Cooperative
(2002) by PMPCI

Saint Joseph Parish (SJP)

Description of the SJP project:

Provision of working animals through Carabao Dispersal so that beneficiaries will be able to prepare the farm with lesser expense; generate job opportunities throughout the year in plowing others' farm and hauling farm products for a fee; produce organic fertilizer through composting, using animal waste and other organic materials available in the area and breed carabaos for the families.

The project affords skills training on modern farm technologies and human development seminars in preparation for the establishment of a cooperative which they will manage to sustain the project and the development of the area.

Testimony of Manuel Sabroso

Mr. Sabroso lives in Sitio Inopot, Canlaon City. He cultivates a rice field less than a hectare in size to support his family. He is one of the 75 recipients of female carabaos in 1998 through the Carabao Dispersal Project. Manong Mangi, as he is known, wants to share his experience:

"I was hoping that with my small rice field and carabao I would be able to support my family and send my children to school. It turned out that my income could hardly support even our basic needs and I didn't have any other source of income. When I heard from our parish priest that there was a project on Carabao Dispersal, I immediately approached him and talked about it. The next day I applied and was evaluated. I found myself attending trainings and seminars, I put up a carabao shed, dug a compost pit and after two weeks got a female carabao from SJP-SCCLPI.

With the carabao I could do two harvests a year and plow other farmers' farms for a fee. My eldest daughter is already a teacher because of that and my two younger children are studying.

Today, I have already 3 carabaos and my loan will be fully paid before the end of 2001. I also have a deposit for my membership in our future cooperative. I produce my own organic fertilizer for my farm and the different seminars and trainings I had proved to be very beneficial!

I am very grateful to the Belgian government, to DISOP and to the Saint Joseph Parish Livelihood Project in helping me and other small farmers of Canlaon City."