For many smallholder livestock raisers, cattle are often viewed solely as a source of live animal sales. However, for the members of the New Carcar Farmers Association (NCFA) in Barangay New Carcar, La Libertad, Zamboanga del Norte, cattle now represent greater possibilities, not only for production but also for enterprise and value creation.
To help NCFA beneficiaries maximize the potential of their livestock project, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 in Zamboanga Peninsula conducted an onsite Training on Value Addition (Meat Processing) on June 10-11, 2026.
The NCFA has been a beneficiary of the DA-SAAD Program since 2024 under the Cattle Production Project. The association initially received interventions amounting to Php 1,010,500, consisting of 15 heifers and one bull, along with mineral blocks, multivitamins, and other biologics to support proper animal health and management.
In 2025, SAAD Program further strengthened the association’s livestock enterprise by providing an additional 10 heifers. Of the 25 heifers provided by the program, 14 have already produced offspring, while four are currently pregnant and expected to give birth this year—an encouraging sign that the cattle project is steadily growing and creating more opportunities for the association’s members.
As the association’s cattle inventory expands, DA-SAAD is also helping farmers look beyond livestock production and explore value-adding opportunities that can increase income and create new enterprises within their community.
During the training, members learned the processing and preparation of value-added meat products such as Beef Siomai, Beef Tapa, Beef Longganisa, and Beef Tocino under the guidance of Livestock Banner Program trainers Mr. Isel Fetalvero and Ms. Angel Ramos. The activity introduced farmers to practical processing techniques, proper food handling, and product preparation methods that could potentially open new livelihood and business opportunities.
Value addition plays a vital role in agricultural development, particularly among rural farming communities. By processing raw agricultural commodities into finished or semi-finished products, farmers can increase the market value of their produce, extend product shelf life, reduce post-production losses, and diversify their sources of income. More importantly, it allows farmers to become active participants in the agri-enterprise value chain rather than remaining solely as producers of raw commodities.
For the members of NCFA, the training offered a glimpse of how their cattle production project can evolve into a community-based enterprise. Instead of relying only on the sale of live animals, they can explore opportunities in meat processing, product marketing, and local food entrepreneurship.
The training was well received by the members of NCFA, many of whom said they never imagined that their cattle project could go beyond raising and selling live animals.
“Wala gyud namo nahunahuna nga mahimo pa diay og ing-ani among mga baka. Abi namo, liveweight ra gyud ang paagi sa pagkita gikan sa among baka. Karon, nakakita mi og laing posibilidad nga mahimo pa diay namong himuong mga produkto nga makadugang og kita sa among asosasyon,” shared Edna L. Dayonot, President of the New Carcar Farmers Association.
[We never imagined that our cattle could be turned into something like this. We thought that selling through liveweight was the only way we could earn from our cattle. Now, we see other possibilities that our cattle can be made into products that can generate additional income for our association.]
As the New Carcar Farmers Association learns to transform livestock products into value-added goods, the training signifies more than the production of Beef Siomai, Beef Tapa, Beef Longganisa, and Beef Tocino. It represents a step toward creating new economic opportunities, enhancing rural livelihoods, and enabling farmers to see agriculture not merely as a means of subsistence, but as a pathway toward growth and sustainable development.###
