FAs visit SAAD pilot area; good practices shared through roving workshop

 

TUGUEGARAO CITY, October 29, 2024 – Paving its way for the beneficiaries to become partial community-based enterprises (CBEs), the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program convened seven farmers’ associations from across the region for a three-day market-related training with roving workshop last August 2024.

 

A total of 80 participants including municipal agriculturists and their representatives from SAAD-assisted local government units, members of farmers’ associations, and DA staff, attended the training held in Claveria and Santa Praxedes, Cagayan. The training provided a platform for the participants to exchange knowledge and best practices, strengthening their organizations and promoting collaboration. 

 

Engr. Monico R. Castro, Field Operations Division Chief of DA Region 2, emphasized the importance of farmer empowerment in achieving food sufficiency and combating poverty. He stated, “Through SAAD, we need you as our partners in boosting local food production. That is why we conduct these training sessions to equip you with the knowledge and skills to improve your organizations.”

 

Members of the Cabaleng San Isidro Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (CASIFA Coop) of Santa Praxedes, Cagayan, hosted the roving workshop. Other participating SAAD-assisted associations included Gunglo Dagiti Mannalon ti Portugal – Portabaga from Sta. Praxedes, Cagayan; Dur-as Farmers’ Association and Samahan ng Tobacco Farmers Agriculture Cooperative from San Isidro and Luna, Isabela; La Paz Agriculture and Fishery Farmers Association (LAFFA) of Saguday, Quirino; Nag-et Farmers Association from Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya; and Kayvayvanan Umhakaw nu Basco (KUNB) of Basco, Batanes.

 

The training covered topics such as financial statements, bookkeeping, and basic accounting, presented by Ms. Marygrace Ramos, KMME Technical Assistant from the Department of Trade and Industry Region 2. Ms. Ramos highlighted the crucial role of auditors and bookkeepers in maintaining an organization’s finances.

 

On the final day, participants toured CASIFA’s communal garden, which on the same day was launched as a leisure park that will eventually become an additional income of the cooperative. Here, CASIFA’s President Mr. Gilbert Respicio, and other members relayed their gardening practices. The garden is planted with various high value vegetables and fruits such as chili, eggplant, okra, bitter gourd, string beans, papaya, watermelon, pomelo, pineapple, and jackfruit, among others. They also maintain a mushroom house provided by SAAD.

 

Further, Mayor Esterlina Aguinaldo of Santa Praxedes, Cagayan, praised CASIFA’s dedication and camaraderie that had led to their success. She underscored the core principle of DA programs such as the SAAD, that prioritizes the development of marginalized communities.

 

“As I always say, let us prioritize those who are struggling. If we focus only on the big players, what about those on the fringes? Santa Praxedes is truly blessed to be a beneficiary of this program,” she expressed.

 

The leisure park was once a forested area inherited by CASIFA members from their predecessors. When the association became part of the SAAD Program in 2023, the area was developed into a communal garden.

 

Reflecting on the knowledge they acquired from the lectures and tour, the participants likewise noted the exemplary cooperation of CASIFA members that is evident in the thriving communal garden.

 

“May potential na maging eco-tourism farm ang lugar dahil napakaganda at maaliwalas. Bastante pa ang tubig; blessed na blessed sila. Nakikita na maganda ang kooperasyon ng mga miyembro dahil maayos at masagana ang kanilang [garden],” Mr. Roldan Cabizon, member of KUNB from Basco, Batanes said during their visit at CASIFA’s garden. 

 

(The place has a potential to become an eco-tourism farm because it is beautiful and serene. There is also an abundant supply of water; they are so blessed. I can see that there is unity and cooperation among the members because their garden is neat and well-maintained.)

 

The roving workshop in Santa Praxedes marked the beginning of a series of similar events that will be held in other SAAD sites. ###

 

Writer: Pearl Lovedyn A. Dacuag, SAAD Cagayan Valley Information Officer