To strengthen local enterprise development and improve market opportunities for farmers’ organizations, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Davao, through its Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) Unit, conducted a three-day Training on Value Adding, Effective Selling, and Negotiation Skills for members of the Sergio Osmeña Anti-Communist Brigade Agrivet Association (SOACBAFA) in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, last April 28-30, 2026.
The training focused on maximizing the abundant local crops produced by the association, particularly banana, camote, and carlang, by transforming them into marketable value-added products instead of letting potential resources go to waste.
Through hands-on demonstrations and guided learning sessions, participants were able to develop products such as sweet potato chips while gaining practical knowledge on product presentation, packaging, labeling, pricing, and marketing strategies.
The activity was conducted in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao Oriental, whose resource persons provided technical guidance and practical insights throughout the training sessions. Leading the DTI team was Mr. Domingo S. Cruz Jr., Head of the Business Development and Promotion Unit, who encouraged participants to continue applying the skills and knowledge gained from the activity.
“Kami sa DTI mapasalamaton sad na niduol kamo sa amoa para-ani nga training, kay kami andam jud kayo mutabang sa inyo. Ang amoa lang ginahangyo pabalik sa amoa kay inyong pagkugi na ipadayon ang inyong mga natun-an diri sa atoang training,” Cruz said.
(We at DTI are also grateful that you approached us for this training because we are always ready to help you. The only thing we ask in return is for you to continue working hard and apply what you have learned from this training.)
SOACBAFA Association President Artemio Pasague expressed his gratitude to the agencies and individuals who supported the activity and helped strengthen their organization’s livelihood initiatives.
“Dako akoang pasalamat sa panahon ug kanunay na suporta nga ginahatag sa atoa ni SAAD, ug sa uban pang mga nitabang aron mahuman namo kini nga training sa banana chips, sa DTI ug atong speaker na nagtudlo unsaon pa para mas mapahimuslan ang amoang mga tanom,” Pasague shared.
(I am very thankful for the time and continuous support given to us by SAAD and the other individuals who helped make this banana chips training possible, especially DTI and our speakers who taught us ways to maximize and make better use of our crops.)
Following the completion of the training, SOACBAFA is preparing to introduce their products within their local community as an initial step toward wider market expansion in the future. The initiative forms part of the association’s journey toward becoming a fully established Community-Based Enterprise, while reflecting DA-SAAD Davao’s continuing commitment to empowering farmers through enterprise development, value-adding initiatives, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.###
