Bacoor, Cavite – “As a group, we could do more, and achieve more.” This is the guiding rule of the 6th batch of Farm Business School facilitators, trained by the Agricultural Training Institute Region IV-A. This new batch of driven and enthusiastic facilitators is composed of Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), employees from the National Government Agencies, farm owners and farmer leaders. A very inspiring impression was delivered by Nimfa Piguerra, AEW from Gumaca, Quezon. “Ang TOF on FBS ay malaki ang naidulot sa akin upang maging sistematiko ang aking paglilingkod sa mga magsasaka. Sa tulong ng ATI at Villar SIPAG, nabuklod po kming mga participants bilang isang magandang samahan na mayroong pagkakaunawaan, na walang pinipiling edad o estado sa buhay, na mayroong isang hangarin, ang maiangat ang buhay ng bawat magsasakang Pilipino.
The Training of Facilitators on Farm Business School is the brainchild of ATI Region IV-A and Villar SIPAG Foundation in their effort to uplift the living conditions of our farmers by utilizing Farm Business School in providing the farmers the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to become agripreneurs.
The 10-day training had increased the level of awareness of the participants that farming should be treated as a business and that farmers could earn more. One of the highlights of the training is the Benchmarking Activity where participants visited successful farms and compared it with their typical farm. Through that activity, they realized that there are many aspects in their farm that should be developed and transformed to be able to earn more profit. Among the activities that proved to be very useful for the participants were preparation of Farm Business Plan, Action Planning, Market Survey and Record Keeping.
The closing program of the training was held at Villar SIPAG Farm School in Bacoor Cavite. The occasion was graced by Senator Cynthia Villar and Ms. Marites Piamonte-Cosico, Training Center Superintendent II of ATI Region IVA. Senator Villar emphasized the importance of financial literacy in running the farm business. She said that farmers must have the ability to access credit with low interest rather than from informal lenders such as 5-6.
The 10-day training was held last September 11-15,2017 (Phase I) and September 18-22, 2017 (PhaseII) at Arisabel Clubhouse, Los Banos, Laguna.