BAGUIO CITY, January 29, 2024 – Dedicating its first year of Phase 2 implementation for beneficiaries’ social preparation, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) successfully enrolled and profiled 82 farmers’ associations (FAs) with 2,460 members targeted to receive various agricultural livelihood projects and training this FY 2024.

SAAD area coordinators and community development officers led the series of on-site beneficiary profiling that involved gathering of the socio-economic status of farmers in 42 municipalities of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, and Mountain Province. 

In Abra, 50 FAs from 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 were profiled and could be possible recipients of projects ranging from crop to poultry and livestock production. 

In the province of Apayao, the municipalities of Calanasan and Kabugao qualified with the program’s eligibility requirements with four (4) FAs as beneficiaries of crop and animal-based livelihood interventions. Meanwhile, six (6) FAs with 180 members representing three municipalities were profiled in the province of Benguet. These municipalities are Kibungan, Sablan and Tublay.  Crops, livestock and poultry production are the possible livelihoods to be provided by SAAD Phase 2. 

Identified in the province of Kalinga were four (4) FAs with 120 farmers profiled. From the municipalities of Pasil and Tinglayan , these farmers are possible recipients of Revival of Ubi, Coffee, and Ginger Production, Highland Vegetable (Bell Pepper and Sayote) Production.  

In Mountain Province, 12 FAs from Barlig, Sagada, Sabangan, Sadanga, Besao and Paracelis were profiled and could possibly receive Coffee and Vegetable Production, Vegetable Production, Squash Production and Processing, Coffee and Chayote Tops Production, Bell Pepper, Cucumber and Cabbage Production, Communal Table Egg Production, Swine Fattening, Integrated Swine Fattening and Fruit Trees Production. 

In Ifugao, the municipalities of Asipulo, Tinoc and Hingyon qualified with the program’s eligibility requirements with 180 farmers belonging to six (6) FAs were profiled and are possible beneficiaries of crop, poultry and livestock production projects. 

Regional information technologists facilitated enlistment of recipients into the central registry system that serves as a comprehensive database, enabling more efficient identification of project recipients and minimizing the risk of duplication. This meticulous approach not only optimizes the allocation of resources but also allows for a broader outreach to farmers in need.

With the enlistment process complete, SAAD beneficiaries in the region will undergo a series of capability building and specialized training in the first quarter this year to ensure the readiness of farmers for agricultural assistance they are about to receive. SAAD CAR will then proceed to the rollout of livelihood projects aimed at farmers’ agricultural activities and further transforming them into successful community-based enterprises. ###

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