By Sam Ramos
The Department of Agriculture’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program will be expanding its support to additional areas in Caraga, aiming to assist more farmers in the region. By fiscal year 2026-2028, the program plans to extend its coverage to 10 new municipalities in the provinces of Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, bringing the total number of supported areas to 24.
Currently, the program operates in 14 priority municipalities, benefiting 28 farmers’ associations and over 700 individual farmers since its launch in 2023. The new areas targeted for expansion include Libjo, Basilisa, Loreto, and San Jose in Dinagat Islands, Bacuag and Gigaquit in Surigao del Norte mainland, and Burgos, Del Carmen, San Isidro, and Dapa in Siargao Island.
In 2023, the program implemented PHP24 million in livelihood projects, which increased to PHP25 million in 2024. These projects have included poultry and goat farming, egg production, pineapple farming, and vegetable production. According to Junabelle Casio-Pahuyo, SAAD’s associate project officer, the program also helps farmer-beneficiaries gain access to provincial markets, boosting their ability to sell their products and increase income.
The expansion of SAAD is expected to significantly impact the livelihoods of farmers across Caraga, strengthening the agricultural sector and improving economic stability in rural communities.