PALO, LEYTE – “Rural farmers are the heroes of the countryside.” The Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William D. Dar emphasized the big role of the rural farmers as heroes of the countryside during the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Saga event in the Eastern Visayas Region.

DA SAAD Region 8 conducted the significant event at the Oriental Hotel, Palo, Leyte on October 25, 2019.

In his speech, Sec. Dar acknowledged the impact of the SAAD Program in poverty reduction, especially in the provinces covered in the region, which are Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.

With this recognition, he committed to strengthen the SAAD program and allocate more funds to continue its mission of helping marginalized farmers and fisherfolk by providing them agricultural livelihood to slowly move them out of poverty.

The SAAD Program’s mission was evident in the Saga event, where five farmers’ associations from each province presented their success stories and showcased their products.

The Cansoso Livelihood Association of Workers from Leyte with their Vegetable Production Project was recognized as the top performer under the Organization Partner-Beneficiary Category.

The others who participated in the event are the Rural Improvement Club of Libas from Northern Samar with their Swine Fattening Project, Cagbonga Backyard Swine and Duck Breeders Association from Eastern Samar with their Swine and Mallard Duck Production, Jiabong Upland Developers from Samar with their Rice Production Project, and United Farmers Association of Pangi from Southern Leyte with their Swine Fattening Project.

Meanwhile, five individual farmers also shared their stories. Swine Fattening Project beneficiary Riza Caliba of Eastern Samar was awarded the Outstanding Individual Farmer.

Others who joined the event are Mallard Duck Production beneficiary Maricel Galit of Northern Samar, Swine Fattening Project beneficiary Lolita Caamud of Samar, Vegetable Production beneficiary Rolando Lapore of Leyte, and Corn Production beneficiary Flora Boyoc of Southern Leyte.

Various products of the farmers, such as salted eggs, fresh eggs, balut, vegetables, rice, and delicacies, were sold out during the event.

The farmers also received SURE Aid cash cards from the Land Bank of the Philippines to aid them in the drop of palay price

The SAAD Saga 2019 is a forum for the farmer-partners of the program. It is a platform to recognize the success of the farmers and showcase their products.

DA Region 12 will host the next SAAD Saga event on the 26th of November 2019, featuring the Sarangani farmer-partners. ###

 

Writer: Jhomai Canlas, SAAD Public Relations and Communications Officer