QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA – The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) national, regional, and provincial staff welcomes its new Director, Dr. Myer G. Mula.

Dr. Mula is a renowned scientist, agriculturist, researcher, and writer. He has authored more than 100 scientific materials to include books, journal articles, monographs, and paper presentations.

He heads the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University’s research, development and extension (RDE) proposal preparation and member of the University Review Committee for RDE.

He was also a Senior Scientist on Seed Systems for eight years at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Telangana, India.

His successful stint at ICRISAT paved the way for developing a model to sustain quality pigeon pea, groundnut, and chickpea seeds not only in India but also in the Philippines.

Dr. Mula succeeded DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Director Bernadette San Juan, who held the SAAD director post for two years.

DA Acting Secretary William Dar appointed Dr. Mula on the 18th of October 2019 to continue the SAAD Program’s mission of helping marginalized farmers and fisherfolk from 30 identified poor provinces in the country to move out of poverty.

Former DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol launched the SAAD Program in 2016 and started its implementation in 2017, as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s thrust to increase food production and reduce poverty in the country. ###

About the Program: The Special Area for Agricultural Development Program is a six-year, locally-funded project of the DA that is intended to help alleviate poverty among the marginalized sectors on agriculture and fishery. It is implemented through social preparation that empowers farmers and fisherfolk; intensified production and livelihood interventions responsive to assessed needs; and partnerships with the local government units, private sector, other government agencies, and other stakeholders. ###

Writer: Jhomai Canlas, SAAD Public Relations and Communications Officer