"You are most likely to succeed if you try. If failure comes along, an agripreneur must think well on what particular aspect he failed and one should not give up easily. Refine your business model. Increase customer base. Most businesses experience failure within 5 years. Failure teaches us what not to do. The important thing is we know how to get up. Be patient.", FBS Focal Person and Regional Coordinator Efren C. Macario said in his message during the FBS 3rd Anniversary Celebration and Mini Food Fair in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon---With ATI’s Farm Business School at the forefront of agri development, the days of production-focused extension have broadened its scope and activities to include promotion of entrepreneurship and marketing. It seems that the trend in agricultural extension has evolved.
The Farm Business School or better known as FBS has been developed to help farmers learn how to make their farming enterprises and overall farm operations profitable and able to respond to market demands. 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.
MAO Cynthia Velasco welcomed the Manolo Fortich FBS Foods and Agri-product Producers Assn., Inc. (MFFBSFAPPA,Inc.) in their 3rd Anniversary Celebration held at the lobby of the Municipal Hall of Manolo Fortich.
Meanwhile, Municipal Agricultural Officer Gemma G. Cania delivered her congratulatory message to the group with high hopes that the association will sustain their interest and passion in coming up with quality products to cater to Manolo Fortich and in Bukdinon in general. Ms. Cania is one of the stalwart supporters and implementors of ATI's Farm Business School (FBS). Since 2015, she have instilled to FBS participants the business side of farming as well as the importance of value-adding.
Mr. Jemir Arriesgado in his testimony expressed his sincere thanks to the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center X headed by OIC-Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez for bringing FBS in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon in partnership with the LGU represented by Councilor Rogelio Quino on behalf of Mayor Clive D. Quino; Congresswoman Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba; MAO Cynthia Velasco, Municipal Agricultural Officer Gemma G. Cania and FBS Focal Person and Regional Coordinator Mr. Efren C. Macario.
Mr. Arriesgado,a former Del Monte employee assigned in the meat production said that he has learned a lot from the training especially on Record Keeping, Farm Planning and Budgeting. It is through FBS, participants were able to share their respective experiences in farming and became interested in diversifying their farm enterprises and even shared insights on ATI’s guiding principle.
“You dream big, but you start small. We have provided you the environment for you to grow. We at ATI totally encourage product development since you are diverse and unique in coming up with your products. With your passion to provide quality products, your next concern is how to make it marketable with the right package and the right looks.” OIC-Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez said in her message.
FBS Focal Person and Regional Coordinator Mr. Efren C. Macario motivated the group by putting emphasis on resilience and hard work and explained to them that reaching dreams is not possible overnight because it will take constant trying and persistence. If failure comes along, an agripreneur must think well on what particular aspect he failed and one should not give up easily. “Refine your business model. Increase customer base. Most businesses experience failure within 5 years. Failure teaches us what not to do. The important thing is we know how to get up. Be patient.", Mr. Macario said.
Congresswoman Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba of 1st District of Bukidnon enjoyed the mini-food fair in yesterday's Manolo Fortich FBS 3rd Anniversary Celebration. She emphasized in her message the strong people's participation and collaboration among members. Also high in her agenda is the creation of a Magna Carta of agricultural development workers and the cityhood of Manolo Fortich as gateway of Northern Mindanao. The Office of Congresswoman Alba will help procure a food cart for the FBS association members, a business hub in Laguindingan Airport and an organic products showroom in Manolo Fortich bus terminal. ATI-RTC X will provide other services in the form of technical and monetary assistance.
The 3rd FBS Anniversary Celebration mounted a mini Food Fair showcasing food products and processed goods by the FBS members.
The Farm Business School (FBS) as an extension modality of the Institute is geared towards entrepreneurship and marketing of farmers’ products.