To support the growth of various enterprises under Phase 2 of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program, a Multi-Sectoral Investment Forum was held for farmer associations (FAs) in Central Visayas.
The forum was organized in partnership with the DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It was conducted for beneficiaries in Siquijor on April 29, 2025, and in Negros Oriental on April 30, 2025.
Farmer-groups from each province joined the whole day forum to improve their understanding of formal enterprise development, investment readiness, and market expansion. These are key to achieving the program’s main goal: building strong Community-Based Enterprises.
The forum also helped prepare farmers and associations for growth in the agribusiness sector by giving them access to expert knowledge and new business connections beyond just production support. Topics included business registration, the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System (FFEDIS), and investment opportunities in agribusiness across Central Visayas – tailored to the needs of growing community enterprises in the region.
“As SAAD Phase 2 enters its 3rd year of FY 2023-2025 implementation, it’s important to equip our farmer association with the knowledge and tools they need to sustain their enterprise beyond the project’s implementation. This forum is a critical step in connecting them with the formal economy and broader market systems,” said Ms. Agnes Guanella M. Cafe, Agricultural Provincial Coordinating Officer of Siquijor.
The activity was made possible through the joint efforts of the SAAD Regional Program Management Support Office – Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (RPMSO-MAED), the Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) unit, and the Provincial Program Management Support Office (PPMSO) in Siquijor.
The event concluded with an open dialogue between the resource speakers and the participating farmer associations. This gave the participants a chance to ask questions and share concerns about registration, marketing strategies, investment planning, and other topics related to building and growing their enterprises.
With a clearer direction on enterprise development and better access to institutional support gained from the activity, the DA-SAAD Phase 2 farmer associations in Central Visayas are steadily strengthening their ability to grow as self-reliant and market-driven groups in the region.
