MIMAROPA Region, October 3, 2024 – In preparation for a broader program rollout in 2025, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) MIMAROPA wrapped up its series of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) activities after completing them in the seven (7) target barangays across four municipalities.

The PRA activities, which happened from March to October 2024, included barangays’ Brgy. Bonbon and Brgy. Agkawayan in Looc, Occidental Mindoro; Brgy. Algeciras in Agutaya, and Brgy. Lucbuan in Magsaysay, both in Palawan; as well as Brgy. Camili, San Isidro, and San Roque in Alcantara, Romblon.

SAAD MIMAROPA personnel facilitated the activities in coordination with the local government units through their Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAO). Farmers actively participated by providing needed data using different PRA tools, such as soil, hazard, and hydrology maps, Venn diagrams, resource flow charts, cost and return analysis, and gender demographic assessments. They also shared common challenges in production, such as a lack of capital for farming inputs, limited water supply, and restricted access to modern farm machinery and markets.

Participants identified potential solutions and projects to address these problems, including cattle raising, poultry farming, vegetable and corn production, and coconut processing and copra making. They also assessed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) related to their organizations and proposed projects. 

SAAD MIMAROPA emphasized that the PRA findings will be carefully evaluated before finalizing any projects. Overall, the PRA was conducted in 19 barangays across MIMAROPA. The PRA is an essential part of the SAAD Program’s social preparation component which gives farmers an opportunity to identify their needs for effective project planning and implementation tailored to their communities. ####

Writer: Melissa F. Lingco, DA-SAAD Information Officer II

Source: Jea Anne G. Yase, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Association Project Officer II