TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite– The Agricultural Training Institute Region IV-A, in partnership with Villar SIPAG Foundation spearheaded the first batch of Training of Facilitators (TOF) on Farm Business School (FBS) this CY2019. Thirty-one (31) individuals, including cooperative members, farm owners, and staff from CaLaBarZon, MiMaRoPa, Bicol, NCR and Mindanao actively participated the 10-day intensive training on FBS.

The FBS is an avenue that brings farmers together to discuss and address business and marketing problems and opportunities. Furthermore, the training aims to prepare the participants with necessary knowledge, skills, and attitude for the establishment of FBS in their localities. Aside from the core concept of FBS, topics discussed were basic concepts on Farm School Establishment, Taxation on Farming Enterprises and Farm Tourism Enterprise were discussed by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Bureau of Interval Revenue (BIR).

Other attached agencies namely, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) and Land Bank presented their Programs and Services for farmers.

In addition, the ATI IV-A staff covered topics and workshops on Market Survey and Benchmarking, Facilitation and Presentation Skills, Leadership Skills and ASEAN & Climate-Change concepts.

The TOF on FBS covered two phases: phase I (March 11 to 15 2019) and phase II (March 18 to 22, 2019) held in ATI Training Hall, Brgy. Lapidario, Trece Martires City, Cavite and Villar SIPAG Farm School, Bacoor City, Cavite.

Content: Mary Grace P. Leidia