In a continued effort to support local farmers and enhance agricultural productivity, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Northern Mindanao provided Php 204,050 worth of agri-inputs to two farmers’ associations (FAs) aimed at improving the associations’ capacity for product processing and value-adding activities.
The beneficiaries of these interventions are the Darimbang Tagoloan Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (DTFAC) from Barangay Darimbang, Tagoloan town, and the Small Banisilon Farmers’ Association (SBFA) from Barangay Small Banisilon, Tangcal town.
These groups are recipients of the Program’s Integrated High-Value Crops and Livestock Production Project and Enhanced High-Value Crops Production Project, respectively.
The agri-inputs, delivered last May 25 to 29, 2026, include essential processing tools such as aluminum foils, gloves, hair nets, mixing bowls, polyester aprons, stainless steel trays, storage boxes, vacuum sealer bags, wrapping films, ziplock bags, and ziplock stand-up pouches. These interventions are specifically intended to assist the FAs in their value-adding activities, particularly in product processing, which is crucial for increasing the market value and shelf life of their products.
The DTFAC has been engaged in making Palapa, a traditional Maranao condiment that is widely used in local cuisine. The SBFA, on the other hand, has diversified their processed products to include chili garlic sauce, chili garlic shrimp, original palapa, palapa with oil, spicy peanut, 5-in-1 turmeric tea, and chili powder. These products are currently displayed in SBFA’s dedicated agriculture product store.
“Ang mga gamit na ito galing sa SAAD ay isang malaking tulong sa aming grupo. Mapapabuti nito ang kalidad ng aming tradisyonal na Palapa” DTFAC President Amroding Dibaratun Talib said, adding that through these agri-inputs, new opportunities will open for their farmers.
[The interventions provided by SAAD are a great help to our group. This will improve the quality of our traditional Palapa]
Through the delivered inputs, the SAAD Program strives to empower these farmer groups to add value to their produce, improving their livelihoods and promoting sustainable agricultural development in Lanao del Norte. ###
