Six (6) farmer associations (FAs) in Dinagat Islands underwent a comprehensive field validation conducted by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program through the National Program Management Office – Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (NPMO-MAED) Sub-unit last June 22–26, 2026.
Led by NPMO-MAED Sub-unit Lead Ms. Jacquelyn M. Rebusit together with MAED staff, Arvel D. Gerona, Arjay L. Pollistico, and Faith D. Paulmanal, the activity was conducted in collaboration with DA-SAAD Caraga’s regional and provincial personnel, to assess the FAs readiness to transition into fully operational Community-Based Enterprises (CBEs).
The field validation evaluated the associations’ performance, profitability, sustainability, and organizational development after receiving more than three years of assistance under the SAAD Phase 2.
During those three years, DA-SAAD Caraga has supported the 6 FAs through a range of interventions that strengthened their production capacity and improved the sustainability of their livelihoods. These included the provision of Ready-to-Lay (RTL) chickens, technical training on poultry production, access to modern farming technologies, enterprise management, marketing, and organizational and values development.
The associations assessed during the validation were the Justiniana Edera Livestock Growers Association (JELGA) in Dinagat; Pangie Farmers Association in Barangay Wadas, Dinagat; Bayanihang Makugihong Mag-uuma ug Mangingisda Association (BMMMA) in Barangay Bayanihan, Libjo; Mabini Livestock Raisers Association (MalRAS) in Barangay Mabini, Tubajon; Malinao Poultry Raisers Association (MAPORA) in Barangay Malinao, Tubajon; and Dona Helen Sewing Women’s Association (DOHSWA) in Barangay Dona Helen, Libjo.
Currently, the 6 FAs supply fresh eggs within their respective municipalities, helping meet the local demand for affordable and accessible egg products.
To assess their readiness to transition into community-based enterprises, the validation team conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and on-site inspections of the associations’ poultry facilities and enterprise operations. During the discussions, the farmers presented operational records, financial documents, organizational accomplishments, and enterprise performance indicators, allowing validators to assess the current state of their governance, project management, and business operations.
The validation revealed that the associations have made significant progress in enterprise management and organizational development. However, the team also identified areas that require further support, including conflict resolution, records management, land ownership concerns, and market expansion. Addressing these challenges is expected to strengthen the associations’ capacity to operate sustainable and competitive CBEs.
Despite these challenges, the NPMO commended the associations for their initiative and resourcefulness in diversifying their income sources. Several groups have expanded beyond egg production by venturing into vegetable farming and internal lending activities, allowing them to generate additional income and distribute annual profit shares to members every December.
The validation also included inspections of the associations’ poultry farms to determine compliance with sanitation standards and biosecurity measures. Based on the assessment, the team recommended improvements in the installation of foot baths, implementation of insect control measures, and overall poultry house sanitation to protect livestock health and sustain egg production.
Following the on-site inspections and focus group discussions, the NPMO dedicated the final day of the activity to consolidating, validating, and presenting the findings gathered from the six associations.
According to NPMO-MAED Sub-unit Lead Jacquelyn M. Rebusit, the field validation is a vital step in ensuring that the associations are prepared to transition into Community-Based Enterprises. She emphasized that the initiative supports the SAAD Program’s long-term goal of transforming marginalized and subsistence farmers into agripreneurs capable of managing sustainable and profitable enterprises even after government assistance has ended.
“The transition process is not merely about enterprise operation but also about assessing whether the associations have developed the organizational, financial, and entrepreneurial capacities necessary to sustain their businesses independently,” Rebusit emphasized.
For Ryan C. Bocabal, OIC of APCO-PDI, the findings and recommendations gathered by NPMO during the field visit was essential to provide FAs additional knowledge and capacitate them in the areas they need additional support before they formally graduate from SAAD and before they will be endorsed to the banner programs.
“The validation conducted by the NPMO serves as a crucial checkpoint in assessing the readiness of our Farmers’ Associations to stand on their own as sustainable enterprises. The observations and recommendations gathered during the visit provide us with a clear roadmap on the areas that require further strengthening before these groups formally graduate from SAAD Program, and before we endorse them” said Bocabal.
As the 6 FAs move closer to becoming self-sustaining enterprises, the initiative highlights the SAAD Program’s continuing commitment to building resilient farmer organizations capable of managing profitable agricultural ventures.
