Twenty-five (25) farmer-beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Northern Mindanao received Spicy Suka Sawsawan Processing training as part of the value-adding of the Integrated Livestock and HVC Production Project to the Kadoldolan Farmers’ Association in Linamon, Lanao del Norte.
Kadoldolan Farmers’ Association (KFA) is among the farmers’ associations (FAs) identified by the SAAD Program covered under the Phase 2 implementation in Lanao del Norte. The group is a beneficiary of the Program’s FY 2024 Integrated Livestock and HVC Production Project worth Php 1.317 million, which includes upgraded cattle, various vegetable seeds and forage seeds, garden tools, pump and engine set, biologics, and training.
During the training session held in October this year, Ivy Lou Cedullo, a business entrepreneur from Iligan City and the resource person the SAAD Program collaborated with, shared her expertise on suka sawsawan processing and valuable marketing strategies. Her experience in the business has brought inspiration to the participating farmers and has boosted their willingness to venture on value-adding products.
Spicy suka sawsawan is a popular product in Lanao del Norte. While the KFA is mainly focused on livestock cattle multiplier, the FA has also diversified into growing chili, ginger, and coconut – the key ingredients for spicy suka sawsawan.
“It would serve as a great opportunity for the farmers to provide an additional source of income from their farm produce,” said Jayson Arnoco, the Municipal Agriculturist, in Linamon, Lanao del Norte.
According to KFA, they plan to develop their own spicy suka sawsawan, making it their unique and marketable product. They aim to have their product be recognized by the Department of Trade and Industry and the local government unit of Linamon as part of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) initiative.
