BANGUED, Abra(PIA) -- The different local government units (LGUs) thru their Agriculture Committee in the province are preparing for the implementation of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program of the Department of Agriculture this 2023.
The DA-Cordillera recently held a conference at Lucky’s Hotel and Restaurant here with municipal agriculturists, Municipal Planning and Development Officers, and some local chief executives from the 27 municipalities to introduce the primary objectives and components of SAAD.
DA-Cordillera SAAD Operations Officer Marlyn Tejero presented data showing that the province of Abra has the most number of identified SAAD beneficiaries in the whole Cordillera region.
“In the entire province of Abra, 25 municipalities, 50 barangays and 50 farmers’ cooperative and associations are identified as SAAD beneficiaries. Abra has the most beneficiaries in CAR,” she said.
Out of the 27 municipalities, only Bangued and Tubo are not included.
Tejero explained that the primary targets of SAAD are the 5th and 6th income class municipalities and the top one third of the poorest municipalities. The selection of beneficiaries is based on the poverty incidence report of the Philippines Statistic Authority.
DA-Agriculture Program Coordinating Officer Dr. Rosemarie Tesoro said the SAAD implementation in Abra is still under the first core component which is the social preparation.
“Under the social preparation, we continue to identify the basic and complex needs of the target beneficiaries through various needs assessment, profiling and capacity-building activities,” she said.
The DA-SAAD program is concentrated on poverty incidence reduction, and local food production activation through livelihood assistance for marginalized Filipino farmers and fishers. It is committed to the development of marginalized Filipino communities by improving their economic conditions through the creation of livelihood opportunities in the agriculture and fishery sectors. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)
