Inspired by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Cagayan Valley Region’s “KADIWA ng Pangulo” initiative in higher education institutions, the Isabela State University (ISU)–Cauayan Campus launched “Anihan 2026: Pagpapalawak ng Programang Pangkomunidad para sa Kaunlaran ng mga Magsasaka”, providing local farmers with a platform to promote and sell their agricultural products last July 20, 2026.
The event featured three Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) supported by the Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Cagayan Valley: the Samahan ng Tobacco Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, San Isidro Luna Integrated Farmers Association, and Patanad Farmers Association.
According to Prof. Dr. Marisol S. Foronda, Cluster Executive Officer of ISU–Cauayan Campus, the initiative was inspired by DA Region 02’s efforts to bring farmers closer to consumers through institutional partnerships.
“Nakuha namin ang inspiration ng project na ito sa Department of Agriculture. It was RED Rose when she asked ISU through our University President Dr. Boyet L. Batang if possible din na matulungan namin itong mga farmers. We are more than willing to do so. Kinausap namin itong mga farmers natin if they want to promote their agricultural products dito sa campus. Ang goal kasi namin ay from farm to school,” said Foronda.
(We got the inspiration for this project from the Department of Agriculture. It started when RED (Regional Executive Director) Rose asked ISU through our University President Dr. Boyet Batang if it would also be possible for us to help these farmers. We are more than willing to do so. We spoke with our farmers to see if they want to promote their agricultural products here on campus. Our goal is from farm to school.)
Held alongside the university’s Back-to-School Kick-Off Program, the product display allowed students, faculty, and staff to purchase fresh vegetables harvested from communal gardens as well as processed goods like kornik, all sold at student-friendly prices.
For the participating farmers, the activity served as an opportunity to expand their market while introducing their products to a new customer base.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa ISU Cauayan Campus sa pag-invite po sa amin sa ganitong event kasi napakalaking opportunity sa’min po para ipromote ang aming product. Napakasaya kasi marami pong teachers and professors na bumili rin po sa amin,” said Madelyn Bauan, Treasurer of the Patanad Farmers Association.
(We are very grateful to ISU Cauayan Campus for inviting us to this event because it is a huge opportunity for us to promote our product. We are really happy because many teachers and professors bought from us as well.)
Meanwhile, Dr. Cipriano M. Ticman Jr., Institute Director at ISU Cauayan, expressed his delight that SAAD beneficiaries were among the participating FCAs. He also expressed hope that more farmers would join their Product Display in the future.
Beyond providing local farmers a direct market, the initiative also serves as a platform to advocate for agricultural education among the youth.
“The primary goal is to help our farmers through current challenges like drought and rising input costs. At the same time, we want to bring agriculture closer to our students. Enrollment in agricultural programs has been declining, yet agriculture feeds the nation. We want them to realize its importance and encourage them to pursue degrees in this field,” Foronda added.
Initiatives like Anihan 2026 highlight how strong partnerships between state universities, LGUs, and the DA can open sustainable markets for local farmers and reignite youth interest in the agricultural sector.
