BUTUAN CITY – A total of 39 mentees graduated from the recently concluded Kapatid Agri Mentor Me Program (KAMMP) online via Zoom which was conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center13 (ATI-RTC 13) in partnership with the PCE – Go Negosyo. The virtual graduation on December 18, 2020 was hosted by Abegail Famadico of Go Negosyo and ATI-RTC 13 KAMMP Point Person Mary Grace B. Salve.

Aboitiz Vice President Ginggay Hontiveros - Malvar thanked the Department of Agriculture and ATI for the all-out support to KAMMP activities since it started with face-to-face until it shifted into online mentoring. Malvar commended the mentees who remained committed in sustaining their agri-businesses toward ensuring the country’s self-sufficiency. She said that it was for this reason that Go Negosyo continues its commitment to provide all possible support and programs such as capability building, market and credit access to aspiring and existing agripreneurs. She encouraged them to maximize contacts and relationships from among the mentors and coaches in the Go Negosyo network to seek further guidance even after the KAMMP sessions.

ATI-RTC 13 Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo mentioned that though the conduct of KAMMP via online modality is new to ATI, he gladly affirmed appreciation in incorporating agripreneurship modules in the usual training on production and technology as a way forward in bringing our farmers’ into seeing agriculture as a promising business. He also thanked the Go Negosyo – KAMMP Online team for their support. CD Calonzo acknowledged the KAMMP team of ATI-RTC 13 composed of Technical Director Fil Victor A. Babanto, Point Person/Project Officer Mary Grace B. Salve and Paula Mae A. Creencia, alternate Point Person.

Prior to the virtual graduation ceremony held on December 18, 2020, the mentees completed the series of mentoring sessions composed of nine modules which run for seven weeks at two-days per week sessions. The pool of mentors who are successful entrepreneurs themselves are as follows: Maria Majella Villaroman who discussed Module 1 -Entrepreneurial Mind-Setting and Values Formation; Pablo Gabriel Malvar for Module 2 -Business Model Canvas; Leslie Ann Cara for Module 3 – Marketing; Deborah Castillo for Module 4 - Accounting Basics; Michael Caballes for Module 5 - Farm Operations Management; Alexander Pasia for Module 6 - Agri Supply and Value Chain; Atty. Rhenier Mora for Module 7 - Obligations and Contracts; Marvin Adolfo for Module 8 - Business Ethics; and Rex Trugo for Module 9 - Business Plan Development.

As the final output, the mentees developed and individually presented their Business Improvement Plan (BIP) last December 15, 2020. In preparation, they underwent a minimum of eight-hour coaching sessions in writing and finalizing their BIPs. During the graduation, the mentees with complete attendance and best BIP presenters were also recognized. The then mentees now full-fledged Agripreneurs received their Certificates of Completion.

The KAMMP Online which aimed to sustain and scale up Agri-business in the region commenced last October 22, 2020 and participated in by officers of Agri-Cooperatives, Farmers and Irrigators’ Association, Learning Site cooperators, youth and agripreneurs.