es, please conProf. Emma Ruth V. Bayogan, PhD Program Leader and Project Leader of South Cotabato Siteent in Mindanao (CARIM), UP Mindanao, Barangay Mintal, Tugbok District, Davao City, Philippines, 8022sq. km. and a population of 84, 539 as of 2015 according to the PSA Census. It is composed of 17 barangays (villages) and 185 sitios (sub-villages).

One of the 17 barangays of Surallah is Barangay Canahay. It is the one proposed by the local government unit for the project. It has a population of 3,253, with 1,692 male and 561 females. It is composed of 10 sitios and 4 puroks. Its major products are coconut, banana, corn, cassava, rice and fruit trees. Residents are active participants of the government reforestation program by planting trees such as gemelina, bagras, mahogany, and fruit trees.

There are programs implemented by the local government unit in the municipality such as the Southern Mindanao Agriculture Project (SMAP) which includes the barangay of Canahay. SMAP provides and develops inland fish culture, planting of fruit trees, soil conservation by applying SALT technology, vegetable gardening, poultry raising, maintenance of farm to market roads, cooperative stores, goat raising, construction of solar driers and warehousing. There is also a 10-hectare lake called Lake Nongon with tilapia culture and fish cages. However, due to yearly siltation brought about by erosion from cultivated hillsides, the lake at present is only about 5 hectares; and the silted areas have become rice fields. There are 7 organised farmer groups in the barangay, according to the Agricultural Technician assigned in the area. These include Canahay Lake Nongon Integrated Fisher Folks and Farmers Association, Canahay Talisay Irrigators Association, Bleboy Farmers Association, Samahang Nayon Farmers Association, Canahay Dairy Farmers Association, Canoon Irrigators Association, and Canahay Farmers Association. Memberships range between 25 and 72 and almost all groups are registered with DOLE.

Based on an exploratory visit to the particular barangay, it was observed that the farming system is mostly monocropping of corn, banana, cassava, coconut, and rice. The terrain of the land is hilly and the barangay is located around 14 kilometers from the town center of Surallah. The road is about 80% rough, i.e., not paved. One of the major threats farmers face are multinational banana plantations (e.g. Dole and Sumifru) as these usually have farmers' lands on lease for up to 25 years.

After meeting with the barangay local government unit (BLGU), municipal local government unit (MLGU), and farmers, the PULL program was decided to be implemented in the area, specifically in Sitio Lambukon where majority of the farmers are T'boli. Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) was secured from the Tribal Council.

Project objectives:

The general objective of the project is 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.