For farmers raising cattle, goats, and native chickens in the upland communities of Zamboanga del Norte, income does not come quickly. Animals take months to grow and reproduce, and for many farming families, waiting too long for returns often means stretching limited resources just to get through daily expenses.
To help address this gap, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 delivered 123 bags of hybrid white corn seeds worth Php615,000 to seven farmers’ associations (FAs) from April 28 to May 6, 2026.
The intervention, covering 123 hectares of production area, was designed not simply as an additional farm input, but as a support system that allows beneficiaries to earn while sustaining their long-term livestock and poultry projects.
Under the distribution, the Tabon Integrated Farmers Association and Dinasan Farmers Association from Jose Dalman received 25 and 20 bags of seeds, respectively. Rambon Farmers Association and Bunawan Farmers Association from Godod also received 20 and 22 bags, while San Jose Farmers Association from La Libertad received 21 bags. Additionally, Totongon Farmers Association from Mutia received 10 bags, and Palalian Farmers Association received five bags of hybrid white corn seeds weighing 18 kilograms per bag.
Each association manages different enterprise combinations under the SAAD Program. Tabon Integrated FA, Dinasan FA, San Jose FA, and Totongon FA currently operate cattle and corn production projects. Rambon FA and Palalian FA integrate goat raising with corn production, while Bunawan FA combines native chicken production with corn farming.
For many of the associations, corn production serves a dual purpose. Aside from providing a potential source of cash income, the crop may also help reduce future feed costs once their livestock and poultry projects expand.
According to SAAD Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) Sub-Unit Lead Ms. Ellaine Agum, the intervention was designed to help associations remain productive while waiting for their animal-based enterprises to stabilize.
“Livestock and poultry production usually take time before farmers can fully earn from them. Through corn production, naa silay short-term source of income while continuously managing and growing their animal projects. At the same time, the corn can also support their feed requirements in the future,” Agum explained.
In many rural communities, one of the biggest challenges among farmer groups is sustaining momentum after receiving livelihood interventions. Without immediate income, some associations struggle to maintain operations while waiting for larger projects to mature. By integrating short-term cash crops with long-term agricultural enterprises, the program encourages farmers to develop more resilient and interconnected farming systems.
More than seed distribution, the intervention reflects a shift toward helping farmers build livelihood strategies that are practical, manageable, and sustainable within their local conditions.
As planting activities begin across the beneficiary areas, the corn fields are expected to become more than temporary sources of income. For the associations, they represent an important step toward keeping their projects active, their members engaged, and their livelihoods moving forward while long-term investments gradually take root.###
