TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 through the Special Area of Agriculture Development (SAAD) Program recognized ten outstanding farmers’ associations during the SAAD SAGA 2022 on November 8, 2022 at the Leyte Academic Center (LAC), Palo, Leyte.
The main objective of this activity is to promote and market products of SAAD beneficiaries and showcase the impacts of SAAD Phase 1 and to recognize and acknowledge the outstanding farmer beneficiaries as they reach this milestone.
The awardees of this year’s SAAD SAGA were the following:Magatas Rice Farmers of Brgy. Matagas, Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte;Balao Farmers Association of Brgy. Balao, Baybay City, Leyte; Nagkaurusa nga Kababayen-an san Danao 1 ( NAKADA) of Brgy. Danao 1, Calbayog City,Samar; Lucerdoni Farmers and Fisher Folks Association of Brgy. Lucerduni, Tarangnan, Samar; Pingan Vegetable and Livestock Producer of Brgy. Pingan, Gen. MacArthur, Eastern Samar; Chitongco Farmes Association (CFA) of Brgy. Chitongco, Mondragon, Nothern Samar; Brgy. Alang-alang Organic Farmers Association (BAOFA) of Brgy. Alang-alang, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar; Esperanza Bontoc Irrigators Association (EBFIA) of Brgy. Esperanza, Bontoc, Southern Leyte;GM Osias P4MP of GM Osias, Gamay, Nothern Samar; and Palayanon Unlad Farmers Association of Brgy. Cabatianuhan, San Miguel, Leyte.
Mr. Ulysses Lustria, Jr. the SAAD National Program Director, together with RED Angel C. Enriquez, RTD Larry U. Sultan, and Gov. Sharee Ann Tan led the awarding of the outstanding beneficiaries of SAAD.
RTD Larry U. Sultan, SAAD Regional Focal Person acknowledged the guests and participants of the event. He also shared a glimpse of the accomplishments made under SAAD during its six-year implementation.
Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez thanked the farmers for serving as living examples of what the government is actually doing. RED Enriquez said that the farmers today are very blessed and their presence showed that the government is on the right track to its commitment to serve the people.
Anita Taran, Provincial Agriculturist of Samar shared that the implementation of SAAD program in Samar had a very big impact for it helped lower the poverty incidence rate in the province.
Dir. Venus M. Jornales, Acting Regional Director of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) emphasized in her message that “in every calamity, the cry of the people is food and your presence today further cements that indeed the backbone of this country are our farmers.”
Another highlight of the activity was the KADIWA-SAAD Product Exhibit together with the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) where SAAD beneficiaries showcased their products such as fresh vegetables, fruits and processed food products.
The SAAD Project started in 2016 and have consistently delivered its promise to help the marginalized farmers to emancipate from poverty. In addition, SAAD is viewed as a component of long-term socio-economic resilience and adaptive development models which assist communities in preparing for catastrophes, reducing economic risks, and most significantly, “building back better” from pre-conditions. (PR)
