The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program gathered farmer-representatives from 35 farmers association (FA) and seven (7) Local Government Units (LGU) partners in its FY 2025 1st Semestral Assessment, to discuss and update the status of every livelihood project and address issues and concerns vital to the implementation of the program, July 1 to 4, 2025.
Mr. Ryan V. Rasgo, Chief of the Field Operations Division and the concurrent SAAD Alternate Focal Person, formally opened the ceremony where he encouraged the participants to remain deliberate and honest in their reports to purposefully open the discussion on relevant concerns. A workshop followed in the afternoon where each FA, guided by the assigned area coordinators and assisted by the LGUs, were given the time to polish their report for presentation.
On the second day, each participating FA was given the opportunity to present their project status and shared valuable practices unique to their associations.
The panel, composed of technical personnel coming from the DA-Regulatory Division, Veterinary Offices and Agriculture Offices from the provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Aklan, and Antique, led the critiquing and provided feedback, inputs, and recommendations to further improve the FAs’ project management.
Part of the highlights of the discussion are the initiatives of each FA to further improve their livelihood. Among these initiatives is the setting up of Dumatad Vegetable FA’s stall in the municipal market of Tangalan, Aklan where they display their raw vegetable produce. The Cabagohan FA from Batad, Iloilo also cultivated sweet corn as an additional venture to augment their income on egg production. Apart from this, the Guinhulacan FA from Bingawan, Iloilo have procured an additional hand tractor– a worthy gain out of their income from corn production.
Also commended are the comprehensive financial statements of the associations which are crucial in ensuring the sustainability of their projects. Issues and concerns related to corn, high value crops, and poultry production were also given due attention and recommendation from the panel during the open forum.
The last day of the activity concluded on July 4 with the awarding of identified FAs and LGU counterparts in appreciation of their performance on the completion of production and financial data and compliance of other necessary requirements.
The award was conferred by the Regional Program Management Support Office, led by SAAD Assistant Alternate Focal Person Ms. Charmae F. Antipatia, as part of its ongoing efforts to give recognition to active partners who contributed to the smooth implementation of the program from the regional down to the beneficiary level.
During the closing ceremony, the Presidents of the Top 2 Outstanding FAs, in the person of Mr. Arnold Balairos of San Florentino Food Garden Association (San Rafael, Iloilo) and Ms. Cory Galleto of United Fisherfolks and Farmers Association (San Lorenzo, Guimaras), shared their challenges, best practices, and innovative ideas that other FAs could adopt– a knowledge-sharing activity that nurtures a learning culture among the beneficiaries.
