The Department of Agriculture–Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in Central Luzon convened the Rizal-Anao Farmers and Livelihood Association Inc. and the Brgy. Casili Integrated Farmers Association Incorporated to discuss their activities under the Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) component last September 2, 2026, in Anao, Tarlac.
Among the key agenda items was the associations’ roll-over scheme, a mechanism both organizations have practiced since the project was implemented in 2023 and which has since become part of their best practices.
Through the scheme, the associations generate and accumulate funds which will serve as additional capital for their planned livelihood and enterprise activities.
During the meeting, participants discussed a proposed amendment to the existing roll-over scheme. Instead of requiring a fixed amount as the association’s counterpart, the contribution would be determined on a per-hectare basis, depending on the size of land cultivated by the beneficiaries.
The proposed adjustment aims to establish a more standardized approach to implementing the roll-over scheme among the 14 Farmers’ Associations (FAs) in Central Luzon and provide a guide for its implementation.
However, Rizal-Anao Farmers and Livelihood Association Inc. Chairperson Charlie Dela Cruz emphasized the need to consider the capacity and current situation of each association when determining the appropriate roll-over amount.
“Siguro po, suggestion ko ay ibigay ang pagdedesisyon sa bawat pangulo at kanilang nasasakupan,” Dela Cruz said.
[I suggest that the decision be left to the leaders and members of each association, taking into consideration their respective circumstances and capacities.]
Meanwhile, the Brgy. Casili Integrated Farmers Association Incorporated shared that it currently implements a fixed roll-over amount of Php 10,000.
The roll-over scheme allows agricultural interventions provided to an association, such as fertilizers and seeds, to be collectively managed by its members. The association may agree on a reasonable value for the interventions and add a corresponding amount or percentage to generate savings and build its organizational fund.
While these interventions are provided by the Department of Agriculture and are not directly sold by the Department, the associations may establish internal arrangements for managing and sustaining the benefits derived from the interventions.
These arrangements are incorporated into the associations’ by-laws to ensure that funds generated through the roll-over scheme remain part of the associations’ collective funds. Since the interventions are provided to the association rather than individual members, the proceeds generated are likewise intended to benefit the organization as a whole and support its future livelihood and enterprise activities.
Aside from the roll-over scheme, the meeting also covered the associations’ financial status, including their available funds and proposed share capital. Members were encouraged to establish and strengthen their share capital as an additional source of capital for their planned livelihood and enterprise activities.
Through the MAED component, DA-SAAD continues to encourage Farmers’ Associations to strengthen their financial management practices and enterprise development initiatives toward building more stable and sustainable livelihoods and businesses.
The meeting was led by OPBME Lead Rosalee G. Leander, Ph.D., together with Area Coordinator Babie Dianne Dela Cruz and MAED Lead Rogie G. Castañeda.
DA-SAAD continues to work closely with its partner associations to identify appropriate strategies and mechanisms that will support the continuity, growth, and sustainability of their enterprises.
