CARAGA REGION, February 13, 2024 – Moving forward to the marketing and enterprise development stage for its Phase 2 beneficiaries, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Caraga Region cascaded the Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) guidelines to farmers associations and partner local government units (LGUs) through a three-day orientation from February 6 to 8.

Simultaneously conducted in the municipalities of Alegria, Tagana-an, Sison, and Malimono, Surigao del Norte, and Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR), Agusan del Norte, SAAD Caraga discussed the importance of market linking methods toward livelihood sustainability to the provincial and municipal program implementers and farmer beneficiaries. 

With the groundwork laid and the initial stages of production established, attention of the SAAD project recipients now shifts towards establishing sustainable marketing strategies and enhancing the enterprise’s viability. This process involves comprehensive market research to identify target demographics, assess competitors, and explore potential distribution channels. 

In Sison and Malimono, SAAD Associate Project Officer I, Richard Lalisan conducted the orientation for the members of Biyabid SAAD Farmers Association (BiSAFA), Tagbayani SAAD Farmers Association (TagSAFA), Hanagdong Lakatan Farmers Association (HaLaFA), and Karihatag Poultry Raisers Organization (KPRO) who are beneficiaries of abaca, banana, and poultry projects. 

In Alegria and Tagana-an, San Juan Abaca Farmers Association (SJAFA), United Farmers Association of Camp Edward (UFACE), California Farmers Association (CFA), and Union SAAD Farmers Association (USFA)who are also beneficiaries of abaca, cacao, banana, and poultry attended the MAED introduction led by SAAD Associate Project Officer II, Niña Jane Villagonza.

Meanwhile, in RTR, SAAD Associate Project Officer II Ligaya Toroy and SAAD Community Development Officer II for Agusan del Norte Jesza Taala initiated the activity for San Antonio Farmers Organization (SAFO) and Balangbalang Farmers Organization (BAFO), beneficiaries of abaca and banana projects.

During the event, SAAD Caraga personnel discussed the significance of advancing the livelihood ventures of the FAs into CBEs. They encouraged each member of the group to continually aim for self-empowerment through various livelihood training provided by the program and establish reliable market connections to ensure sustainable income generation for the FAs.

Furthermore, as the FAs handle the business and marketing aspects of their agricultural products, a close-in training of the MAED Form 4, Financial Statement Template, and MAED Form 5, CBE Sales Records Template was also conducted for the chairperson, secretary, treasurer, auditor, and business manager of the FAs to ensure accuracy of financial monitoring reports. 

This series of MAED guidelines cascading activities is conducted to translate the four (4) program components of SAAD phase 2 into reality focusing on reinforcing the viability of an FA’s prospective business undertakings that could potentially open future opportunities to its members and nearby communities. 

As steps forward, SAAD Caraga will be assisting its FA beneficiaries by initiating Market Identification and Market Mapping studies to empower the FAs to reach the full marketability of their agricultural products by identifying its target customers and market location that will eventually yield profit sustainability. ###

Writer: Sean D. Belen, DA-SAAD Caraga Regional Information Officer