DAVAO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) is empowering Indigenous Peoples (IPs) by converting ancestral lands into productive and sustainable farms through its Palayamanan Integrated Farming Program.
According to Melanie Provido, chief of DA-11’s Research Division, the initiative promotes a holistic farming system that integrates rice, vegetable, and livestock production — serving as a sustainable model for upland and tribal communities.
The program is currently being implemented at the Davao Regional Upland Agriculture Research Station (DARUARS), a 400-hectare site donated by five clan farmers’ associations that symbolizes community cooperation and cultural pride.
“Concerned government agencies are committed to working hand in hand for the development of the tribes,” Provido said.
DARUARS chief Jessel Cardines highlighted that the success of agricultural development must be grounded in respect for indigenous culture, traditions, and ancestral knowledge.
“By bringing inputs, training, and support directly to our IP farmer associations, we are not only increasing productivity but also unlocking dignity, self-reliance, and hope for future generations,” Cardines added.
As part of the project, DA-11 distributed key livelihood inputs such as native piglets, vegetable seed kits, cacao seedlings, and fertilizers to participating IP associations, marking a vital step toward inclusive growth and rural empowerment.
— NPO News Team | PNA-PR
