The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Central Visayas successfully conducted a Regional Social Preparation Roll-out activity for two SAAD farmer associations (FAs) in Bohol from May 5 to 7, 2026.
The Jambawan Farmers Association (JAFA) in Lila, Bohol and Tangcasan Sur Farmers Association (TASFA) in Loay, Bohol participated in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), where members actively shared insights on their associations’ operations, organizational strengths, and existing challenges. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were also conducted using guide questions to gather additional information and gain a deeper understanding of the beneficiaries’ experiences, needs, and expectations from the program.
The activity was spearheaded by regional staff from the Social Preparation and Program Management (SPPM) and Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) sub-clusters, together with the provincial and area coordinators.
Officers and members of JAFA and TASFA attended the activity alongside representatives from the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Lila and Loay, the DA-SAAD7 Regional Project Management Support Office (RPMSO), Provincial Project Management Support Office (PPMSO-Bohol), and the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO).
Mary Glenn C. Juson, one of the Agricultural Technicians from Loay, Bohol who assisted the team during the activity, expressed appreciation for the positive changes brought by the SAAD Program to farmers in their municipality.
Juson said, “Kami mapasalamaton sa Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development Program kay ang among LGU usa sa mga nakabenepisyo niining SAAD Program. Sa activity nga gipahigayon karon, nakahatag kini og katin-awan sa mga miyembro sa asosasyon tungod kay nag assess sila kung asa na karon ang ilang asosasyon. Mapasalamaton kaayo kaming taga-LGU MAO sa SAAD Program kay wala gayud nila pasagdi ang maong asosasyon.”
(We are very grateful to the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development Program because our LGU is one of the beneficiaries of the SAAD Program. Through the assessment activity conducted today, the members of the association were given clearer understanding and guidance regarding the current status of their association. We, from the LGU MAO, are truly thankful to the SAAD Program for continuously supporting and guiding the association and for never neglecting it.)
The above-mentioned activity forms part of the implementation of the High Value Crop and Chicken Egg Production Project with Marketing and Enterprise, funded under the 2023 SAAD Program. The roll-out aimed to assess the organizational capacity and current status of the associations, and to further strengthen their operations and readiness for project implementation.
Tangcasan Sur Farmers Association (TASFA) President Leoncio Datoy shared that the Social Preparation roll-out helped surface and address the pressing concerns of the association, allowing members to better understand their current situation and areas for improvement moving forward.
He said, “Ang maong activity nakatabang nga mahatagan og dakong panglantaw ang among asosasyon kay makita man kung unsa ang problema sa among asosasyon ug kini mahatagan nila og kasulbaran. Gitagaan pud nila og pagtagad kung unsaon pagsulbad ning ginagmay nga mga problema.”
(This activity helped give a broader perspective to our association because it allowed us to see the problems within our association, and these were given possible solutions. They also gave attention and guidance on how even the small problems can be resolved.)
The SocPrep roll-out highlighted the Program’s commitment to strengthening farmer associations through participatory assessment, organizational development, and the promotion of sustainable agricultural enterprises.
