STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan – Creating new ways of upgrading farmers’ awareness, understanding and learning to adapt to changing climate while acquiring knowledge on business farming, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I conducted a 10-day Regional Training of Trainers on Climate Smart Farm Business School (CSFBS) on June 19-30, 2017 at Tebag East, Sta. Barabra, Pangasinan.
The ten-day training entails series of group-based experiential learning activities over a production-marketing cycle while interacting with other chain actors and stakeholders in the locality.
With emphasis on mitigating the negative effects to the smallholders of the market brought about by globalization, Ms. Maricel D. Dacapias, Information Officer III, at the same time Climate Change focal expounded the topics on ASEAN Economic Integration and Climate Change and Its Impact in Agriculture. Further, participants were also oriented on the e-Extension Program and ICT-Based Resources as additional tools in agricultural activities.
Meanwhile, Dr. Melinda F. Mangabat, Training Center Superintendent I and the Focal person for FBS reiterated on Understanding the Basic Concepts of Farm Profitability, Farm Business Management and Farm Planning and Decision Making including Understanding Marketing and Markets. Participants had a first-hand experience at the “Bagsakan Center” in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan wherein they were able to interview suppliers, wholesaler, and retailers including consumers on different farm-produce.
Ms. Virginia O. Geronimo, an Agricultural Technologist from LGU-Manaoag expressed her thoughts saying, “It was a good experience having attended this training especially during the field visit and conduct of survey. We were able to realize the importance of extension to the farmers: for them to acquire knowledge not only in increasing their yields but also in marketing their produce”.
During the last day of the training, participants were tasked to prepare individual Farm Business Plan to be implemented in their respective localities. The ATI-RTC I will closely monitor in the implementation of their plan.
The 10-day training was participated by 23 AEWs, local farm technicians and demo farm coordinators of the different provinces of Region 1.