The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is reporting substantial progress in boosting high-value crop production among marginalized farmers in Abra.
As a foundational step, Program implementers have prioritized equipping farmers with the tools for success through training sessions. For the past two months of 2025, three (3) batches of training were organized to equip farmers with advanced agricultural knowledge in support of the implementation of their prioritized livelihood interventions.
Sweet potato production training was conducted for the Garreta-Sideg Farmers Association last January 14 in Garreta, Pidigan, Abra. Municipal Agriculturist (MA) Perpetua B. Ancheta and Agricultural Technologist Potcholo Palecpec served as resource speakers, with additional insights from sweet potato traders Wilson Anical and Eduard Supnet.
On the same day, root crop production and processing training was also held for the Bai Farmers Association in Bai, Lagayan, Abra, led by MA Rowena T. Martinez.
For the third training, a session on good agricultural practices for vegetable production took place benefiting the Alawa-Tapayen Farmers Association under the guidance of MA Kenette T. Sengal last January 17 in Alaoa-Tapayen, Tineg, Abra.
Three farmers’ associations have also begun land preparation and planting activities for their SAAD-supported livelihood.
The Lacub Binongan Alluyon Farmers Association, Inc. planted peanut seeds on February 7 in Poblacion, Lacub, Abra; the Lingey Masakbayan Farmers Association installed plastic mulches on February 6 in Lingey, Bucloc, Abra, to improve soil moisture retention and weed control, and the Pikek Salidummay Farmers Association, Inc. in Pikek, Daguioman, Abra conducted soil preparation and seedling propagation using seedling trays on February 5.
The Pikek Salidummay Farmers Association planted 100 grams of ampalaya seeds and 70 grams of squash seeds. The activity was joined by Senior High School students from Capitan National High School as part of their agricultural immersion program.
To ensure the success and sustainability of these planting efforts, six monitoring activities were conducted across various sites as of writing.
The monitored sites included the ginger production area of Addang (Abante) Sallapadan Proper Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. in Sallapadan Barrio, Sallapadan, Abra; the sweet potato and peanut production area of Riverside Liguis Farmers’ Association Inc. in Liguis, La Paz, Abra; the sweet potato and watermelon production area of Udangan Farmers Association Inc. in Udangan, La Paz, Abra; the peanut production area of Ban-naang Farmers Association in San Ramon West, Manabo, Abra; and the vegetable production area of Pang-ot Nagba Farmers Association in Pang-ot and Bai, Lagayan, Abra.
These monitoring activities enable the SAAD Cordillera to determine whether the assisted groups are on track with their project implementation activities as well as to ensure that farmers receive proper assistance, maintain best practices, and achieve sustainable yields from their livelihood projects.
The DA-SAAD CAR’s commitment to high-value crop production in Abra continues, with more activities planned throughout the year. These efforts aim to provide economic opportunities for farmers while contributing to the region’s overall agricultural growth and food security. ###
