Farmers in Brgy. Tio-angan, Bagulin, La Union have continued livestock and vegetable production while reinvesting earnings following production and resource challenges.
The 86-member Sinabugan Farmers Association (SFA) participates in the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2 of the Department of Agriculture, focusing on cattle fattening and vegetable production.
The project began in 2023 with the distribution of 26 cattle and support for vegetable production, including tomato, garlic, cucumber, sweet pepper, eggplant and string beans. Members also received farm inputs, veterinary supplies, seeds, fertilizers and equipment such as a hammer mill, forage chopper, sprayers and cultivation tools.
For many members, these interventions marked a turning point from farming purely for daily survival to farming with a clearer direction for growth.
They said rising feed costs, animal health concerns and the management of shared resources affected production at certain periods.
In response, members strengthened livestock monitoring, adjusted feeding practices and held regular meetings to manage expenses. The group also adopted shared decision-making in managing operations.
The association used income from livestock and vegetables to fund improvements in production facilities.
Last year, members completed a steel-framed cattle corral, replacing an earlier structure made of bamboo and tie wire built in 2023. The upgraded facility improved livestock handling and protection.
In January 2026, the group completed a spring development project that improved access to water for both crops and livestock. Members said the facility helped sustain vegetable production during dry months.
As of March 2026, the association recorded Php 257,000 in cash on hand and bank deposits from livestock and vegetable operations.
SAAD Area Coordinator Engr. Joshua T. Peduca said the group’s progress reflects both technical support and collective effort.
“The Sinabugan Farmers Association shows that when farmers work together and apply what they learn, small interventions can grow into a sustainable and productive enterprise,” he said.
Association President Dina P. Pascua said members began focusing on planning and reinvestment.
“Dati, farming para lang makaraos sa araw-araw. Ngayon, natututo kaming magplano, mag-ipon, at mag-reinvest. Ang kinikita namin sa livestock at gulay, ibinabalik namin para mas lumago pa ang aming kabuhayan,” she said.
(Before, farming was just to get through each day. Now, we are learning to plan, save, and reinvest. What we earn from livestock and vegetables, we put back so our livelihood can grow further.)
SAAD Regional OPBME Lead Ms. Lorena A. Olveña said the association’s development reflects continued cooperation and learning among members.
Today, the group continues cattle production and vegetable cultivation while using shared facilities, including the corral and water system, to support year-round operations. ###
