BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program is planning to broaden its reach to include 10 more regions in Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte by the fiscal years 2026-2028. Currently, the initiative supports 28 farmers’ associations and has reached over 700 farmers in 14 key municipalities within these provinces since starting in 2023.
Junabelle Casio-Pahuyo, who serves as the associate project officer and leads social preparation and program management for SAAD in Caraga, outlined the new areas for expansion. These include Libjo, Basilisa, Loreto, and San Jose in Dinagat Islands; Bacuag and Gigaquit on the Surigao del Norte mainland; and Burgos, Del Carmen, San Isidro, and Dapa on Siargao Island.
In 2023, SAAD invested PHP24 million in livelihood projects across the 14 priority municipalities, increasing to PHP25 million this year. These projects have focused on poultry and goat rearing, egg production, as well as pineapple and vegetable farming, according to Pahuyo in a recent interview.
Additionally, the SAAD program aids farmers in accessing markets, enabling them to sell their produce more effectively in provincial markets.