Before crops can thrive, farmers must first learn to thrive together. In Maripipi, a small island town in Biliran, 40 farmers are proving that the strength of any association lies not only in its harvest, but in how well its members work as a team.
From April 8 to 11, 2025, two local associations namely: the Maripipi Farmers and Fisherfolks Association (MAFFA) and the Binalayan East Farmers and Fishermen Association (BEFFA), participated in an organizational development training under the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2.
The training focused on teamwork, communication, and leadership, giving farmers a deeper understanding of how to manage internal challenges and strengthen group operations.
“Ang pagkat-on unsaon pagpakigsulti nga mas maayo sa atong mga kaubang mag-uuma makatabang nato sa pagdumala sa atong mga proyekto nga mas episyente,” said BEFFA member Margie Salomon.
[Learning how to communicate better with our fellow farmers will help us manage our projects more efficiently.]
Rosy Manuel of MAFFA echoed this, saying that technical knowledge alone is not enough: “Mahalaga ang teknikal na kaalaman sa pagsasaka, ngunit kadalasan ang kakayahang makipagtrabaho nang maayos sa iba, mamuno nang epektibo, at lutasin ang mga alitan ay kailangan din upang magtagumpay ang aming asosasyon.”
[While technical knowledge in farming is vital, it is the ability to work harmoniously, lead effectively, and resolve conflicts that often determines the long-term success of our association.]
MAFFA is currently managing corn and vegetable plots, while BEFFA is engaged in poultry production — both supported through DA-SAAD livelihood projects. The training complements their work by equipping them with tools for decision-making, group coordination, and conflict resolution.
DA-SAAD’s ongoing interventions in Eastern Visayas support 126 farmers’ associations across six provinces, combining livelihood inputs with capacity building to help smallholder farmers build sustainable and self-reliant groups. ###
Source: PPMSO Biliran
