The DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, in collaboration with the DA-Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen), officially launched the Yamang Lupa: Sustainable Community-Based Action R4DE for Livelihood, Uplifting, and Prosperity (YL:SCALE UP) Program on 19 March 2022 in San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur.

The event convened more than 200 stakeholders composed of key officials and representatives from local government units, state universities and colleges (SUCs), collaborating agencies, lead farmer technicians, and farmer facilitators from Zamboanga del Sur, who signified their commitment and support to the DA-BAR funded project.

The YL: SCALE UP, with Zamboanga Peninsula as the pilot region, seeks to establish innovative and sustainable agriculture through the enhanced Yamang Lupa (YL) program approaches and strategies in the municipalities of San Miguel and Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.  In line with the goal of harnessing the adapted science-led soil revival strategies and management practices toward boosting farmer productivity and strengthening coping mechanisms amidst climate anomalies, the said program is expected to cover a total of 20,000 hectares of rainfed areas. 

Prior to the launching, an inception meeting was held on 17 March 2022 at Hotel Guillermo, Pagadian city to discuss and level off goals, objectives, roles, and responsibilities among implementing and collaborating institutions with regard to the implementation of the said program. ###