The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in Davao Region is exploring potential partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao Oriental to strengthen enterprise development and market access for farmers’ associations (FAs) supported under the program.
The initiative forms part of SAAD’s 2026 target of helping at least six FAs in the region become fully established community-based enterprises. During a coordination meeting last February 10, both agencies discussed possible technical support, capacity-building activities, product development assistance and market linkage strategies aimed at improving the competitiveness and sustainability of farmer groups.
DTI officials led by Business Development and Promotion Unit Head Domingo S. Cruz Jr. expressed the agency’s willingness to assist small farmers through training and advisory services.
“Andam ang DTI Davao Oriental sa pagtabang ug pag-assist sa atong mga gagmay nga mag-uuma pinaagi sa product development training para sa food and non-food commodities. Nagahatag usab kami og skills training in value-adding aron ang hilaw nga materyales mahimong mas mapuslanong produkto,” said Cruz.
(DTI Davao Oriental is ready to assist small farmers through product development training for both food and non-food commodities. The agency also provides skills training on value-adding to transform raw materials into higher-value products.)
He further emphasized the agency’s capacity-building and market support services for emerging enterprises.
“Lakip usab sa among suporta ang capacity-building para sa MSMEs sama sa entrepreneurship, financial literacy and financial management, organizational development, basic marketing, entrepreneurial farming, and market linkages aron mapalig-on ang lokal nga produkto ug makahatag og lig-on nga panginabuhian sakomunidad,” Cruz explained.
(This support also includes capacity-building for MSMEs covering entrepreneurship, financial literacy and management, organizational development, basic marketing, entrepreneurial farming, and market linkages to strengthen local products and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities.)
For SAAD’s Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) Unit, the said engagement is a significant step toward enhancing the market readiness and enterprise development of SAAD-supported associations.
MAED Unit Lead Anelean Amor Poncardas highlighted the importance of the partnership: “Usa kini sa mga lakang sa MAED Unit aron mas mapalig-on ang atong marketing assistance sa mga farmer associations. Importante kaayo nga ma-link nato sila sa DTI tungod kay dako kini og tabang sa pagpaayo sa ilang produkto ug sa pagpalambo sa ilang kahibalo sa pagdumala sa ilang mga negosyo. Ilabi na karong tuiga, tumong namo nga adunay pipila ka asosasyon nga mahimong fully established community-based enterprises ubos sa SAAD Program.”
(This is one of the steps the MAED Unit is taking to strengthen marketing assistance for our farmer associations. Linking them with DTI is important as it will help improve their products and enhance their knowledge in enterprise management. This year, we aim to have several associations become fully established Community-Based Enterprises under the SAAD Program.)
Present during the meeting were key personnel from DTI Davao Oriental led by Cruz, together with Division Chief Fernale J. Solis, Planning Officer and Special Projects Focal Marylyn E. Pontevedra, Negosyo Center (NC) – Trade Industry Development Specialist and Provincial Negosyo Center Coordinator Anna Mae Tambuco, and Negosyo Center Staff Jan Rino Apares.
Representing SAAD Davao Region were MAED Unit Lead Poncardas and Provincial Coordinator Reymart Pescones. ###
