The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Cagayan Valley successfully conducted a Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) roll-out for six Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) from the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya for continuous market identification and benchmarking.
MAED regional staff Ms. Lilibeth Catap, together with the Area Coordinators, visited the Patanad Self-Help Group and Farmers Association Incorporated (PSGFAI) in Patanad, San Isidro, Isabela, last June 9, 2026. The PSGFAI processes and sells kornik (corn snack) and is also engaged in vegetable production. A pre-inspection of their processing facility was also conducted for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration.
Another market identification activity was conducted last June 10 for the Cabaduyan – Taaw Bunalan Farmers Association in Cabaduyan – Ammoweg, Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya. Their vegetable production and free-range chicken enterprise records were monitored.
On June 11, two more associations from Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya, were monitored. These included the Pieza Growers Association (PGA) and the Ocapon Sustainable Agriculture Development and Irrigators Association (OSADIA). Both farmer groups are engaged in vegetable production. OSADIA is also involved in cattle production.
Meanwhile, the Gunglo Dagiti Mannalon ti Portugal in Santa Praxedes, Cagayan, has undergone the same roll-out on June 16-17. Its enterprises focus on vegetable and swine production.
Lastly, the Malaueg Food Producers and Farmers Association in Anungu, Rizal, Cagayan, was also monitored last June 19. Their enterprises include vegetable and mushroom production, as well as processed banana products like banana chips.
According to Ms. Catap, more FCAs should undergo assessment to determine the status of their livelihoods and identify how SAAD Cagayan Valley can assist them.
“Maganda na nabibisita natin yung mga FCAs at nagmomonitor tayo para tuloy-tuloy yung kabuhayan nila. Nalalaman din natin kung paano sila matutulungan sa pagbebenta nila ng products,” Catap stated.
(Visiting and monitoring the FCAs helps sustain their livelihoods and allows us to identify ways to assist them in selling their products.)
This initiative aims to continuously monitor the livelihood of the FCAs and help them organize their records. Through the MAED roll-out, it will be easier to identify their potential target markets and connect them with more buyers. ###
