Manila, Feb. 18 -- Twenty-eight farmers' associations (FAs) representing 726 individuals received PHP36.3 million in food production and livelihood project funding from the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Caraga (DA-13) through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program last year.

In a report on Tuesday, the SAAD program indicated that out of the total FAs, 20 were from Surigao del Norte, including the Siargao Islands, which received PHP26.1 million in financial support for projects related to egg, goat, abaca, pineapple, cacao, vegetable, and banana production.

"The program aims to bring farmer group beneficiaries closer to agricultural development and sustainable livelihoods," it said in a statement.

Aside from bo...