The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) turned over two highland vegetable production projects to women-led farmers’ associations in Tublay Central, Tublay last March 27, 2025.
The Basil Aduyon Multipurpose Cooperative (BAMPC) and Tublay Central Aduyon Farmers’ Association (TCAFA), both predominantly composed of women farmers, received their agricultural interventions amounting to Php 793,770 and Php 727,720, respectively.
As pillars of their communities, the women of BAMPC and TCAFA balance farmwork with family responsibilities, playing a crucial role in ensuring food security in their communities. With the support of SAAD, their initiatives are further strengthened, enabling them to scale up their production, improve harvest quality, and create more opportunities for economic growth.
“This turnover is not just about agricultural inputs—it’s about recognizing and empowering women farmers who are the backbone of our food systems,” said Marlyn C. Tejero, DA-SAAD CAR Operations Officer. “Through these projects, we hope to provide them with the resources and knowledge to elevate their farming practices.”
The interventions align with SAAD’s mission of supporting the marginalized men and women in agriculture. By investing in women-led organizations, the program also ensures that the resources reach the women who directly contribute to food production while also promoting economic empowerment.
“Dakkel nga tulong daytoy para kinyami (This is a big help for us),” shared Fausta Pedro, President of TCAFA. “Babaen daytoy nga project, namnamaen mi nga pumintas ti panagmula mi ket masuportaran ti pam-pamilya mi ken dagitoy umili (Through this project, we can increase our yield and continue supporting our families and community).”
The turnover, which coincides with Women’s Month, highlights the vital role of women in agriculture and their potential as leaders in rural development. The success of these associations serves as an inspiration, proving that women’s involvement in farming goes beyond planting and harvesting – it is about leading, innovating, and building resilient agricultural communities.
“Haan lang nga balay ti pagagyanan ti kababaihan ti Tublay ta kabaelan da metlang nga agmula tapno mabiyag ti pamilya da. More than that, kabaelan da metlang nga mangidaulo ti asosasyon kas kanyak,” Pedro said. (Tublay women are more than housewives because they are also capable of farming to sustain their families. More than that, they are also capable of leading an association just like me.)
With these projects, SAAD-CAR continues to champion inclusive agricultural development, fostering a future where women farmers thrive as key contributors to local food security and economic stability. ###
