Datu Abdullah Sangki (DAS) is a 6^th class municipality of Maguindanao. It was created under Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 153, passed by the Regional Legislative Assembly on August 15, 2003 and approved on August 20, 2003, ratified in the plebiscite held on January 3, 2004. It has an area of 220 sq.kms. and a population of 23, 878 according to the PSA Census in 2015. It is composed of 10 barangays.

Among the 10 barangays is Barangay Talisawa, located around 2 kilometers from the center of DAS and its poblacion (center) where the municipal hall is found. It has a population of 1,973 population and 368 households in 2010, which increased to 2,242 and 448 respectively in 2015. It has a total land area of 1,838 hectares, with about 1,208 hectares of agricultural land and an estimated 621 hectares of this is hilly but also agriculturally productive.

Their 587 hectares timberland is supported by natural springs namely; Bual Spring, Talupal Spring, Maikling Spring and Simsiman Spring. These springs are the tributaries of the communal irrigation systems that benefit not only the farmers of Talisawa but also the farmers of Barangay Kauran and Barangay Mao.

Farm crops within the barangay include banana cavendish, corn, and upland rice as their source of livelihood. They do not have vegetables and coconuts. The upper areas of the barangay is estimated to be 200 hectares timberland and around 10% are planted with upland rice.

The baraNgay has an ordinance banning charcoal making and cutting of trees.

In terms of its composition, it is predominantly Christian (around 70%), 15% Muslim and 15% lumad (indigenous people). Conflict, especially on land, arises amongst lumad and between lumad and Christians.

One of the farmers' groups there that are already organised is a Teduray group called the Sefagayon Tomen Klohanan (Teduray for Magkaisa na Kayong Lahat or roughly You All Organise Now). It has 149 members and registered to DOLE. They have previously received support from DA and OSCC in the form of upland rice seeds, urea fertilizer and banana seedlings.

Some of the priorities identified by farmers there are planting of permanent crops such as coconuts, fruit trees and gardening in the upland area.

General Objective:

To improve livelihoods of farmers in the identified priority conflict-vulnerable sites through the LIFE (Livelihood Improvement through Facilitated Extension) Model. Specifically, the project aims to:

1. Improve farmers' productivity and income by using sustainable and appropriate farming, post-production and marketing practices;

2. Strengthen farmer groups, improve social cohesion and promote gender equality and cultural sensitivity;

3. Enhance links between farmers and both government and non-government institutions relevant to improving their productivity and strengthening their groups;

4. Document and analyse the adoption, productivity and welfare improvement of farmers in these conflict-vulnerable communities that use the LIFE model.