WESTERN VISAYAS, October 25, 2024 – Synchronizing both the program’s and partner LGUs’ efforts on parallel commitment to development, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program gathered around 225 farmers from 20 farmers’ associations (FA) and conducted consultation meeting in Iloilo, Guimaras, Aklan, and Antique last October 15-17, 2024.

The meeting was centered on discussing the progress of the projects, facilitating feedback from key stakeholders, and providing program recommendations to resolve issues and concerns in the field. Insights from the farmer-beneficiaries, program implementers, and local government proved to be invaluable in fostering productive discussions and in identifying potential solutions for project development.

Table 1. Schedule of Consultation Meeting

One of the main points of discussion was the presentation of each FA’s accomplishment and individual production reports. The representatives from each group, especially those familiar with the status of the projects, led the reporting where they tackled several challenges and agricultural practices critical to their implementation.

The discussion also included the presentation of interventions received by each FA which was cross-checked from the program’s inventory to identify discrepancies in delivery and interventions yet to be provided. Some of the main challenges were the FAs’ difficulties in securing reliable buyers for their agricultural inputs which leads to the decrease of selling prices, the fickle weather condition which leads to crop degradation, and diseases which lead to mortality among poultry stocks.

Charmae F. Antipatia, SAAD Alternate Focal Person, proposed a practical solution of following the planting calendar for vegetables. This approach would synchronize the FAs’ planting schedules with optimal growing conditions to reduce the risks of crop loss and to enhance crop productivity. The FAs were also recommended to identify or establish an isolation area that would separate healthy chickens from those who have acquired illness. They were also advised to implement a system for regular health monitoring among flocks that would enable early detection of their health issues.

Great strides toward agricultural development were the meetings’ main highlight. In fact, the Tamborong FA in San Lorenzo have already expanded their communal vegetable production area into four clusters. This expansion is part of their commitment to enhance food production and improve the livelihood of its members, supported by a vegetable production project from the program. Some FAs have also reported that they have gained an income as service providers from their corn sheller, hammer mill, and hand tractor.

LGU involvement remains a significant value in pushing for progress. The Municipal Agriculture Office of San Lorenzo, for example, has linked its FA for a training session, of which, the Sitio Napuong Small FA will be receiving a sponsorship for a skills training from the Agricultural Training Institute focused on value-adding techniques. This training will educate the members on how to process vegetables which can help mitigate losses and increase their income potential. 

The consultation meeting will be completed on October 22, 23, and 30 in Iloilo and Negros Occidental which will also be attended by 180 farmers. It is one of the program’s strategies to ensure that the projects are being implemented in a way that could benefit the recipients and aligned to the shared goals of both the program and the local government. ###

Writer: Cedie C. Bataga, SAAD Western Visayas Information Officer