Building stronger and more resilient farming communities remains a key priority in the implementation of agricultural development initiatives in the Ilocos Region. In support of this, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Ilocos conducted a series of technical training aimed at enhancing the productivity and income of farmer-beneficiaries through improved livestock and crop production practices.
The two-day training held on May 19–20, 2026 in Barangay Cappa-cappa, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur was participated in by members of the Cappa Cappa Farmers Association and focused on Cattle Production and Management, as well as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Vegetable Production. The activity was facilitated by Dr. Alicia Ellorin of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, along with Agriculturist I Elmer Bacani and SAAD technical personnel including Ronnie Villanueva.
On the first day, Dr. Ellorin discussed cattle production and management practices covering breed selection, proper housing, feeding management, disease identification, and basic record-keeping systems appropriate for smallholder farmers. She also emphasized low-cost management strategies and preventive health measures designed to reduce production losses and improve livestock productivity.
Participants actively engaged in the discussions, sharing on-ground experiences and raising concerns on common livestock challenges in their communities, which were addressed through practical and science-based recommendations.
On the second day, the focus shifted to crop production through a session on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and vegetable production. Sir Bacani highlighted key GAP principles, including safe pesticide use, soil and water management, and farm record-keeping, while Sir Villanueva presented the Package of Technology for vegetable production covering land preparation, seed selection, integrated pest management, and postharvest handling. Demonstrations and practical applications were conducted to strengthen farmer understanding and adoption of recommended technologies.
The training was anchored on the objective of enabling SAAD beneficiaries to produce high-quality agricultural outputs using appropriate technologies, while also identifying gaps and concerns in existing farm practices that require immediate attention and intervention.
A succeeding two-day event was also conducted on May 21–22, 2026 in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, with sessions led by SAAD PPMSO Pangasinan Alternate Lead David John T. Rondal and Dr. Ellorin. The activity was participated in by members of the Lubong Farmers Association, who actively engaged in all technical discussions and demonstrations.
During the training, farmers were encouraged to strengthen farm-level data gathering by submitting soil samples for analysis, enabling more precise and efficient fertilizer application based on actual soil conditions. The activity also reinforced interest among participants in pursuing GAP certification as part of improving farm practices, product quality, and potential market access.
Meanwhile, hands-on demonstrations such as silage-making further enhanced farmers’ understanding of practical livestock feed management techniques that can be applied during periods of feed shortage. These applied learnings are expected to support more resilient and diversified farming systems in the community.
Through these continued training activities, DA-SAAD Ilocos remains committed to standing with farmer organizations as they build more productive and sustainable livelihoods. By sharing practical, science-based technologies and hands-on skills, the program helps farmers improve their harvests, increase their income, and strengthen their confidence in managing their farms for the long term. ###
