Administrative Officer IV Efren C. Macario delivering a lecture on Farming as a Business during the training proper on Climate Smart Farm Business School for Climate Resilient Agriculture Community recipients of Kiabo, Malitbog, Bukidnon.
Cogon, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY---The Farm Business School (FBS) is one of the most effective extension modalities of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and is one of the most-requested trainings of the center. It is geared towards entrepreneurship and marketing of farmers’ products, teaching farmers to always look at the market before planting. The training also integrates Climate Smart Agriculture into the curriculum as ATI regional training centers are tasked to assist farmers not only become market-oriented, but also climate-smart.
Through FBS, The learning takes place at the village level and farmers' capacity in entrepreneurial and management skills is built via a "learning by doing" approach. Extension workers and farmer leaders are trained as facilitators and then organize seasonal training courses where farmers work in small groups at their own pace using materials that have been specially designed for the schools.
Consisting of three modules, Information Officer III Noemi Beth G. Macario served as one of the lecturers along with Administrative Officer IV Efren C. Macario. During the Farm Business Plan Presentation & Cliniquing, Mr. Macario stressed the importance of Branding, Product Sustainability, Packaging and Labeling as well as Consistency as factors in keeping one's business going. Mr. Macario in his presentation delivery also pointed out the importance of coming up with a product with a strong selling point and by sticking to what product works best.
The FBS training as an extension activity transpired on April 23-30, 2018 at the De Luxe Hotel in Cogon, Cagayan de Oro City is participated in by 25 farmers and Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) Project recipients who are geared towards entrepreneurship and marketing of their products.