DA - Special Area for Agricultural Development Program

: 𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐎𝐒 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡 (2023-2025 𝘊𝘶𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵)

The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) in the Ilocos Region demonstrated remarkable performance in surpassing its cumulative beneficiary targets for the period 2023–2025.

For the three-year implementation period, the region sets a cumulative target of 470 beneficiaries. Through sustained implementation of SAAD interventions, the program reached 839 beneficiaries, achieving 178.5 percent of its target. This translated to 369 beneficiaries above the planned target, highlighting the region's strong commitment to expanding support to marginalized farmers and fisherfolk.

The growth in beneficiary reach reflected the Program's continued expansion across the region. In 2023, DA-SAAD recorded 224 cumulative beneficiaries, which increased to 559 beneficiaries in 2024. By 2025, the number further grows to 839 beneficiaries, indicating consistent progress and effective implementation of program interventions over the years.

The steady increase in beneficiary coverage demonstrates the active participation of communities and the successful delivery of assistance aimed at improving agricultural productivity and livelihood opportunities. The region's performance showcases its capacity to reach more farmers and fisherfolk while strengthening local development efforts.

Overall, DA-SAAD Ilocos Region significantly exceeded its cumulative target and sustains a positive growth trajectory from 2023 to 2025. The achievement reflected the program's continued efforts to enhance the lives of farmer and fisherfolk beneficiaries and contribute to inclusive agricultural development in the region.

𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 | Ilocos farmers develop enterprise roadmaps thru operations manual workshops

Strengthening farmer organizations goes beyond production support as the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Ilocos continued its efforts in building more organized and self-sustaining agri-enterprises through a Training-Workshop on Enterprise Operations Manual (EOM) Preparation conducted in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

Full story: https://saad.da.gov.ph/ilocos-farmers-develop-enterprise-roadmaps-thru-operations-manual-workshops/

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) led by National Director Ulysses J. Lustria Jr., conducted a field visit last May 27, 2026 to two SAAD-assisted farmers’ and fisherfolk associations in Barangay Paratong, Santa Catalina, Ilocos Sur.

The purpose of the visit was to assess the progress of program interventions and determine additional support needed by the groups. Director Lustria was joined by professors from the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Department of Communication and Development Studies, namely Associate Professor V Dr. Chrysl Avegeil N. Vallejo and Instructor I Christopher John C. Gonzales.

Director Lustria, along with Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - SAAD Ilocos Region personnel, visited the Paratong Asenso Fisherfolk Association, which manages tilapia and milkfish production projects in the area.

Also visited was the Paratong Farmers Association, beneficiary of the cattle and vegetable production project under DA-SAAD Ilocos. Since receiving 31 cattle along with feeds, biologics, farm inputs, tools, and various capability-building training, the association has recorded nine calf produced, increasing its cattle inventory to 38 heads as of May 2026.

Members of the association also shared the trainings they received from the program such as Package of Technology on Cattle and High Value Crops Production, Management, Organizational Development and Project Management, Conducting Meeting and Resolution Making, Enterprise Operations Manual Preparation, and Record Keeping, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Management.

A focus group discussion (FGD) consultation, facilitated by DA-SAAD Ilocos Region OPBME Lead Lorena A. Olveña, was conducted to directly hear the beneficiaries’ experiences, concerns, and recommendations regarding the implementation of SAAD interventions.

The activity focused on validating the status of implemented projects, monitoring enterprise development, and identifying the current needs and challenges of beneficiaries to further strengthen the program’s support in the community.

| Sariwang Itlog mula sa San Roque FFA

Mula sa kanilang lumalagong egg layer enterprise, patuloy na naghahatid ng sariwa at dekalidad na itlog ang San Roque Farmers and Fisherfolks Association mula Pintuyan, Southern Leyte sa mga mamimili sa kanilang komunidad.

Ang produksyon ng itlog ay bahagi ng livelihood project na sinuportahan ng Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development, na nagbigay sa samahan ng mga ready-to-lay chicken, feeds, at mga pagsasanay sa tamang pamamahala ng poultry enterprise.

Mula sa mga unang hamon sa produksyon, unti-unting napalakas ng samahan ang kanilang operasyon. Sa kasalukuyan, mayroon na silang 1,145 layer chickens at nakakapag-ani ng humigit-kumulang 900 itlog kada araw, na nagsisilbing pangunahing pinagkukunan ng kita ng kanilang samahan.

Dahil sa tuloy-tuloy na produksyon at maayos na pamamahala, nakapagtala ang grupo ng Php134,883 net income noong Enero 2026, ang pinakamataas na buwanang kita na kanilang naabot mula nang maitatag ang kanilang enterprise.

Para sa availability at kasalukuyang presyo ng produkto, maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa samahan o sa DA-SAAD Regional Program Management Support Office VIII.

Source: Liza Mae M. Dumaran, Information Officer II, SAAD-RPMSO-PRDC 8

#𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐒𝐀𝐀𝐃: 𝐅𝐏𝐋 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟒)

𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘋𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 (𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘬)

In livestock projects, good records mean better results.

Through Project Documentation, the FPL sub-unit team closely monitors key aspects of livestock production, from the breed raised and growth performance to feeding practices and health management.

This includes tracking feeding ratios, diseases and mortality, housing setup, farm ownership, and waste management practices. It also covers production-specific details such as lactation for dairy, grow-out period for fattening, number of offspring for breeding, and overall milk or production performance.

By documenting these details, SAAD Phase 2 ensures that livestock projects are well-managed, responsive to challenges, and geared toward improved productivity and sustainability.

“For SAAD, communication is not simply an administrative function. It is an important part of our integral holistic program implementation.

The way our information officers, area coordinators, and other SAAD regional support staff communicate, coordinate, and share our information to our farmers and fisherfolk directly affects how communities understand, trust, and participate in the SAAD Program.

Patuloy nating palakasin ang ating development communication strategies so that our programs become more responsive, more inclusive, at mas ramdam ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda.”

Elmer R. Esplana
Deputy Director, SAAD

during the closing of the Development Communication Training Part 3 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur | May 29, 2026

𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 | Handwoven hats by SAAD FA takes spotlight during MUPH 2026 visit in MisOcc

The vibrant craftsmanship of the Punta Sulong SAAD Phase 2 Farmers Association (PSSPFA) was on full display during the visit of the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 candidates in Baliangao town, Misamis Occidental last April.

Full story: https://saad.da.gov.ph/handwoven-hats-by-saad-fa-takes-spotlight-during-muph-2026-visit-in-misocc/

𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 | 155 Bingawan poultry raisers learn biosecurity measures, risk management protocols

The Department of Agriculture - Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Western Visayas conducted a targeted Biosecurity Protocols and Risk Management Training from May 19 to 21, 2026, to help prevent disease outbreaks and reduce livestock mortality.

Full story: https://saad.da.gov.ph/155-bingawan-poultry-raisers-learn-biosecurity-measures-risk-management-protocols/