BAGUIO CITY, December 10, 2023 – In preparation for project area expansion in FY 2024, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) conducted farm-site validation for 11 barangays in Abra from October 2 to 6.

Farm-site validation is among the activities under the social preparation component of the Program executed prior to community needs assessment, profiling, geotagging, and capacity building.  It is done in accordance with the technical aspects and standards of agri-infrastructure projects under the provision of small production and postharvest-related livestock and poultry farm machinery, equipment and facilities guidelines.

The five-day validation activity was carried out by Mr. Jonathan Gapad, Associate Project Officer assigned in the Regional Program Management Support Office (RPMSO) and Engineer Jasmine Jimenez of the DA Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), in coordination with the Agricultural Program Coordinating Office (APCO) of Abra, Rosemarie B. Tesoro, representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of San Juan, and barangay officials. 

Among the target farmer associations (FAs) visited were Catongawan, Ramramot, Cacalinga Farmers Irrigators Association (CRCFIA, Inc.) in Brgy. Basbasa Tayum; Paganao FA in Brgy. Paganao Lagangilang; Salucag FA in Brgy. Salucag Dolores; Rimat Farmers and Fisherfolks Association in Brgy.  Baug, San Juan; Supiil Multi-Crop FA in Brgy. Supiil San Juan; Liagan FA in Brgy. San Ramon West Manabo; Dalimag Norte Irrigators Association in Brgy. Dalimag San Isidro; Sitio Ol-Olingen Lap-lapog Agriculture and Fisheries Association in Brgy. Lap-lapog Villaviciosa; Dur-As Rural Improvement Club in Brgy. Ap-apaya Villaviciosa; Gravelinas FA in Brgy. Namarabar Penarrubia; and Rang-Ay Farmers – Irrigators and Fisherfolks Association in Brgy. Patiao Penarrubia.

Before executing the activity, the team made a series of courtesy calls to the nine (9) MAOs. After establishing clear understandings on the purpose of the activity, they proceeded to barangays San Juan, Manabo, Tayum, Dolores, San Isidro, Vilaviciosa, and Peñarrubia to check on the farmer’s agricultural holding, availability of water, power supply, and legal documents if the area is owned, leased, or as tenants.

During the conduct of the Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA), the pre-selected FAs proposed projects such as housing for quail, chicken, swine, and High Value Crop (HVC) Production. 

Engr. Jimenez advised the members to ensure the proposed project site is feasible for the construction of the proposed project before implementation. 

SAAD Phase 2 in Abra targeted to include municipalities of Boliney, Langiden, Luba, Manabo, Pilar, San Juan, Tineg, Villaviciosa, Bucloc, Daguioman, Danglas, Lagayan, La Paz, Peñarrubia, Pidigan, Sallapadan, San Isidro, Bucay, Dolores, Lacub, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, San Quintin and Tayum, assisting 50 barangays with 1,500 farmer-beneficiaries. 

In the last quarter of FY 2023, SAAD CAR staff will assist the pre-selected FAs to craft project proposals for their respective areas. ###

Writer: Maria Elena G. Catajan, DA-SAAD CAR Information Officer