NORTHERN SAMAR – For the first quarter of 2025, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2 prepared thirteen (13) farmer groups in Northern Samar on managing various livelihood projects through a series of community organizing activities. 

The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) in Region 8 garnered recognition for its outstanding performance during the SAAD Program Phase 2 FY 2024 National Physical and Financial Year-End and FY 2025 1st Quarter Assessment held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan from April 21-25, 2025. 

LEYTE - To boost agricultural productivity, seventeen (17) farmers’ associations (FAs) with a total of 403 members in the province of Leyte were given farm tools by the Department of Agriculture - Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Eastern Visayas.  

EASTERN SAMAR - Three hundred twenty (320) farmers from the Province of Eastern Samar were immersed on developing their personal and organizational skills this first quarter of 2025 through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2.

HINDANG, LEYTE - The Hindang Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (HIFAC) of Hindang, Leyte has sustained their poultry operations by procuring 300 additional ready-to-lay (RTL) chickens earlier this year. 

MARIPIPI, BILIRAN - Twenty hardworking farmers from the island municipality of Maripipi recently celebrated the success of their first harvest of the year, collectively earning Php 59,774.00. 

SAN JOSE, NORTHERN SAMAR - A pinch of perseverance, a spoonful of teamwork, and a teacup of business mind-setting. These primary ingredients to success are carried by the women members of Brgy. Bagong Sabang Vegetable Raisers Association (BSVRA) in their day-to-day hustle and bustle with swine raising. 

STO. NIÑO, SAMAR - In its effort to sustain and prosper the livelihood support of DA-SAAD Program, the Barangay Takut Farmers Association (BTFA) of Sto. Niño, Samar revealed an earnings of Php 19,600.00 from vegetable production. 

SAMAR - To cultivate essential values on leadership and teamwork, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2 conducted trainings on capacity-building for 130 farmer-beneficiaries in Samar Province.

LIBAGON, SOUTHERN LEYTE - To monitor the progress and impact of livelihood interventions, the Department of Agriculture - Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program convened the project stakeholders during the 1st Quarter Provincial Assessment on March 21, 2025 in Libagon, Southern Leyte. 

EASTERN SAMAR - To ensure accurate tracking and monitoring of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2 in the Province of Eastern Samar, the Information Technology Development and Database (ITDD) Unit steered an updating of profile information among farmer group recipients. 

PASTRANA, LEYTE - Farmers in the town of Pastrana have long confronted significant hurdles, such as limited access to modern farming tools, unpredictable weather conditions, and fluctuating market prices. For years, they struggled to sustain their livelihoods, as well as provide the needs of their families. 

The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2 successfully concluded its 1st Quarterly Regional Assessment for FY 2025 on March 27-28, 2025 in Tacloban City. 

Editha "Edit" Colango, the 42-year-old treasurer of Lamanoc, Mat-e, Calunasan (LAMACA) Farmers Association, manages the finances for this determined group of 16 women and 5 men from Merida, Leyte. What began as a modest egg production project, fueled by the support of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program, has blossomed into a financial success story with the members yielding a savings of nearly half a million pesos.

Maalagaron Responsable ug Maayong Ehemplong Kababayen-an sa Brgy. Hinapo.

This group, otherwise known as the MARE CARES - Hinapo Women’s Association from Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte, lives up to its name by embodying these qualities which contributed to the overall success of their poultry enterprise.

SAN VICENTE, NORTHERN SAMAR – In its mission to strengthen the spirit of camaraderie and unity among farmer beneficiaries, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2 led 48 farmers of San Vicente, Northern Samar on leadership development and capacity management.