TAGBILARAN CITY, November 30, 2023 – Forty-one (41) farmers associations assisted by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 1 were turned over to respective local government units of Bohol to further receive assistance and potential support from DA banner programs and other agencies. 

Led by the National Program Director Ulysses J. Lustria Jr, the activity initiated by DA-SAAD Central Visayas through its Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez, together with the regional, provincial, and municipal teams, partner agencies, and farmers was at the same time aimed at establishing a clear understanding of the Program’s implementation guidelines through the official launching of SAAD Phase 2. A total of 11 priority municipalities who passed the selection criteria are included in the next phase of implementation namely: Albur, Anda, Batuan, Clarin, Cortes, Dagohoy, Lila, Loay, San Isidro, Sevilla and Sikatuna.

During the ceremony, the achievements and impacts of the SAAD Phase 1 in Bohol were presented which include improved food security, enhanced market linkages, increased food production and income, and community empowerment. 

The said 41 FAs with 1,950 members from the municipalities of Mabini, Getafe, Bien Unido, Buenavista and President Carlos P. Garcia were SAAD-organized farmer-groups provided with agricultural livelihood projects such as crops (vegetable, banana, sweet potato, corn, and peanut), and livestock and poultry (carabao and native chicken) from 2019 to 2022. 

Director Lustria Jr., has acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the partner government agencies in assisting the farmer-beneficiaries improve their livelihood and help achieve the goal of lessening poverty incidence in the country. 

“We cannot succeed without you, farmers. I will just emphasize the vision of SAAD na makita natin ang ating farmers na [to see the farmers] both socially and economically empowered,” commented Dir. Lustria Jr.

On the other hand, in her message, Director Enriquez reiterated the importance of collaboration and convergence among the government, local communities, and other stakeholders to ensure long-term success of agriculture initiatives like the SAAD.

 “We wanted the projects to be successful from the time it will start until the end, particularly transforming the lives of the farmer beneficiaries. Some of them have become entrepreneurs. If we want a government project to succeed, it must have these factors, to include completeness, supportive LGUs, and the hardworking project implementers. Ang akong challenge sa mga municipalities [My challenge to these municipalities] is we need to work together to ensure that the positive impacts are sustained and expanded,” Dir. Enriquez said, referring to Phase 1 program implementation.

Virgilia Lungay, a recipient of the Integrated Carabao and Vegetable Production project from Cabasakan SAAD Farmers Association in Getafe expressed her gratitude to DA. 

“Nagpasalamat ko ug dako sa SAAD kay dako kaayo’g tabang sa amoa. Karon, nidaghan na kaayo ang among kabaw nga magamit namo sa panguma” [I am so thankful of SAAD’s project. Now, we have an increase numbers of carabaos that help us in farming], shared Mrs. Lungay.

With the official turnover of Phase 1 beneficiaries, the respective LGUs will continue to monitor the progress of the FAs and lobby them to different agencies, private organizations, among others. Onboarding Phase 2, the province looks forward to a more resilient and prosperous agriculture as SAAD Phase 2 continues to operate in Bohol with new sets of FAs. ###

Writer: Jessica R. Alvero, DA–SAAD Central Visayas Information Officer
Sources: Romeo Ruel M. Paras, DA–SAAD Central Visayas PRDC Unit Head
DA–SAAD Central Visayas SPPM and FPL Units