Two farmer associations (FAs) in Pilar, Cebu recorded a combined sales of Php 567,198 from the Corn Production with Marketing and Enterprise project under the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in Central Visayas.
The Biasong Small Farmers and Fishermen Association (BSFFA) and the Imelda Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (IFFA) produced a combined total of 181,494 kilograms (kgs) of corn cobs from 41.8 hectares (ha) of corn farms. Of the total area, 24.55ha were located in Barangay Biasong, while 17.25ha were in Barangay Imelda.
The consolidation and marketing activities, conducted in two batches on December 18, 2025 (1st batch) and January 10, 2026 (2nd batch), improved market access, secured better prices, and increased the gross income of SAAD farmers.
Based on the data, the Biasong Small Farmers and Fishermen Association (BSFFA) consolidated 100,264kgs of yellow corn, consisting of dried corn grains and green corn (anagon), and generated sales amounting to Php 275,340. Meanwhile, the Imelda Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (IFFA) recorded a total production of 81,230kgs and earned Php 291,858 from diversified corn products, including pintos, dried corn grains, green corn (anagon), corn grits (bugas), and corn bran (tahop).
Table 1. BSFFA and IFFA consolidated corn products’ production income
| Corn Products | BSFFA | IFFA | Total Gross Income (Php) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Unit | Unit Price (Php) | Income (Php) | Quantity | Unit | Unit Price (Php) | Income (Php) | ||
| Dried Corn Grains | 18,136 | Kg | 15.00 | 272,040.00 | 2,553 | Kg | 15.00 | 38,292.00 | 310,332.00 |
| Green Corn (Anagon) | 330 | Pcs | 10.00 | 3,300.00 | 20,797 | Pcs | 10.00 | 207,970.00 | 211,270.00 |
| Pintos | 336 | Pcs | 37.00 | 12,432.00 | 12,432.00 | ||||
| Corn Grits (Bugas) | 591 | Kg | 42.00 | 24,864.00 | 24,864.00 | ||||
| Corn Bran (Tahop) | 415 | Kg | 20.00 | 8,300.00 | 8,300.00 | ||||
| Grand Total | 567,198.00 | ||||||||
The dried corn grains were sold to Dodong Inong Meatshop in Ormoc City through a barangay pick-up arrangement, while the other corn products were sold locally within the community. This approach ensured easier market access and reduced logistical costs for the farmers.
Gemmy Mangaron, a member of BSFFA, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the program.
“Kami mapasalamaton kaayo sa Department of Agriculture RFO 7 pinaagi sa SAAD Program sa dakong tabang nga ilang gihatag sa mga mag-uuma dinhi sa Pilar, Cebu. Pinaagi sa Yellow Corn Production Project, natabangan gyud kami sa among mga kalisdanan ug nakahatag kini og dugang kita, ilabi na para sa among pang-adlaw-adlaw nga panginahanglan,” she said.
(We are very grateful to the Department of Agriculture RFO 7 through the SAAD Program for the great assistance they have provided to the farmers here in Pilar, Cebu. Through the Yellow Corn Production Project, we have been assisted in our daily challenges and it has provided us with additional income to make ends meet.)
The success of the yellow corn production and marketing initiative showed the value of collaboration in strengthening rural livelihoods. It also highlighted the effectiveness of consolidated marketing and value-adding activities promoted under the SAAD Program.
With SAAD Phase 2 entering its fourth year, small farmers are continuously empowered with sustainable income opportunities and improved resilience against economic challenges.
