CDP PROSPER introduces traditional and herbal medicine production to CRFS enrolled farmers

The changing climate is considered to be the single most serious health issue confronting communities. People whose health is being impacted first by the climate crisis contribute the least to its causes and are least prepared to protect themselves and their families from it.

Climate-sensitive health risks are disproportionately felt primarily by the most vulnerable sectors of our communities, including women, children, ethnic minorities, persons-with-disabilities, displaced persons, older populations, and those with underlying health conditions, due to economic-related stresses brought by the pandemic, thus, making them even more vulnerable.

With these realities, CDP’s PROSPER Project, in collaboration with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Ramon Magsaysay in Zamboanga Del Sur, provided training on herbal and alternative medicine processing for the needs of the thirty-five (35) Climate Resiliency Field School (CRFS) enrolled farmers in Barangay Pasingkalan on February 9, 2022.

Maximizing backyard herbal plants, the training aims to produce herbal medicines, such as ointments and liniments for common skin diseases and body pain and cough syrup as an alternative to synthetic drugs available in the market. It also wanted to encourage and promote the utilization of herbs and other plants with medicinal use.

In a post-activity evaluation, Nanay Susan Q. Cuyos, a 52 years old farmer, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the project that continuously supported them and that has also helped families and individuals in this time of pandemic. She said, “Sobrang laking tulong nito sa amin lalo na sa aming pamilya, una, para makatipid sa gastusin lalo pa’t uso ang ubo at sipon, pangalawa, madali lang gawin at pwedi pang maging panibagong hanap Buhay para sa amin sa susunod na panahon”.

The activity is part of the project’s CRFS Season-Long Training on Climate-Smart Farming and Agriculture.