09/10/2026
๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐
๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
Indigenous farmers cultivate more than the land. They preserve native seeds, sustain livelihoods, and pass on stories and practices that connect communities to their culture and heritage.
This October, we observe National Indigenous Peoplesโ Month pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1906, s. 2009, which recognizes and supports the rights, contributions, culture, and heritage of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).
In the Cordillera and across the country, Indigenous farmers continue to play a vital role in food production, environmental stewardship, and community development. Honoring their contributions means recognizing the value of their work, respecting Indigenous knowledge, and helping create fairer opportunities for their products to reach more people.
We can show our support by choosing locally grown and produced goods, buying directly from farmers, visiting agri-trade fairs and DA KADIWA activities, and sharing farmersโ products and stories within our communities and online.
Through programs such as the Department of Agriculture โ Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program, farming communities, including Indigenous Peoples, are supported through livelihood assistance, capacity-building, and market-linkage activities.
When we support Indigenous farmers, we help preserve culture, strengthen local food systems, and create opportunities for farming communities to thrive. Their knowledge, their work, and their heritage are part of the future we cultivate together.
