By PPMSO Lanao del Norte

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte  – To further assess the impact of project implementation in the province, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2, through its Provincial Project Management Support Office (PPMSO) in Lanao del Norte, recently conducted the second leg of the Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) roll-out in the municipalities of Poona Piagapo, Munai, and Tangcal, Lanao del Norte.

Held from June 2 to 6, in coordination with the SAAD Regional PMSO team, the roll-out is designed to enhance the capacity of local fisheries cooperatives and associations (FCAs) by equipping them with tools and knowledge essential for building sustainable and profitable enterprises.

Participants included FCA officers and members, representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Offices of the respective local government units (LGUs), and other key stakeholders involved in fisheries and community development.

Throughout the activity, the attendees engaged in a comprehensive review of the FCAs’ production and financial performance, record-keeping systems, and financial analyses. They also carried out market mapping exercises to improve strategies and understand their competitive landscape.

A participatory planning session was also held, using the Enterprise Profitability Assessment (EPA) tool to evaluate business viability and identify strategic actions for improving sustainability and income generation.

Beyond enterprise development, the MAED roll-out also served as an early consultation platform for identifying potential projects for 2026—helping ensure that future interventions remain relevant and aligned with the SAAD Program’s long-term sustainability framework.

The SAAD Program, a special initiative of the Department of Agriculture, is focused on alleviating poverty in marginalized rural communities through targeted agricultural and fishery interventions. It aims to transform subsistence livelihoods into sustainable agri-fishery enterprises by providing capacity-building, livelihood support, and enterprise development assistance.

By focusing on areas with high poverty incidence, SAAD plays a key role in promoting inclusive rural development, improving food security, and increasing the income and resilience of small-scale farmers and fisherfolk.