To provide farmers with additional draft power for land preparation and hauling, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Davao distributed 17 carabaos to seven farmers’ associations (FAs) with a total of 279 members in Davao Oriental from December 2025 to January 9, 2026.
The Program’s carabao dispersal carried a total project cost of Php823,650. Under the intervention, Junction Upland Farmers Association, Mantunao Farmers Livelihood Association, Pichon Farmers Livelihood Association, and Pantuyan Mandaya Farmers Association each received two carabaos.
Meanwhile, the Davao Oriental Former Rebel Association, Tomoaong Livestock and Agriculture Association, and Sergio Osmeña Anti-Communist Brigade Agrivet Association (SOACBAFA) respectively received three carabaos. Consequently, the carabaos will be managed and shared by the beneficiaries through their respective association, ensuring that all members benefit from their use.
Mr. Reymart Pescones, SAAD Provincial Coordinator of Davao Oriental, said the intervention is expected to boost farm productivity and support farmers’ daily agricultural needs.
“Ang maong mga carabao makatabang sa atong mga farmers sa daghan nga paagi like hauling, land preparation, and transportation. Iapod-apod usab kini sa ubang miyembro kung manganak na ang mga carabao sa umaabot,” Pescones shared.
(These carabaos can help our farmers in many ways such as hauling farm inputs and harvests, land preparation, and transporting goods. Also, the carabaos can be given to another member once they have offspring in the future.)
One of the beneficiaries, Joel Ambrocio, an officer of a recipient association, expressed how the Program has been able to continuously provide assistance to them.
“Malipayon ug mapa salamaton ako sa padayon nga tabang sa SAAD og tungod isa ko sa nakabenepisyo sa mga carabao nga gihatag sa DA-SAAD aron makatabang sa mas pindali nga pagpanguma”, he said.
(I am happy and thankful for the continued support of SAAD and because I am one of those who benefited from the carabaos provided by the Program. This will greatly help make our farming activities easier and more efficient.)
The carabao distribution is part of the holistic support approach of DA-SAAD that seeks to enhance the capacity and productivity of farmers, as well as promote sustainable agriculture in geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas. With these initiatives, the program has continued to empower the farmer associations, enhance livelihoods and invest in long-term food security and rural development in Davao Oriental. ###
