Young farmers and 4-H Club members pointed out what they expect from the activity and what are their future plans towards entrepreneurship. (Photo by Clemente Gabion)
PASAY CITY, Metro Manila—Shaping the mind-set and skills of young Filipino farmers as the new generation of entrepreneurs continues to be an impetus for the training and extension activities of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
In its latest capability enhancement activity, 4-H Club members and young farmers nationwide were guided on the basics of entrepreneurship through lectures on financial literacy and record-keeping.
“To be an entrepreneur is to become a problem-solver,” was what the trainees learned from guest speaker Nonong Velasco of Organic Options, Inc.
Another expert present during the activity was Alvin Cabato of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council. He talked about financial literacy and its role in the transformation of marginal farmers and fishers intro entrepreneurs.
The four-day activity also featured a lecture on record-keeping from Charmyne Sanglay of Laguna State Polytechnic University. She stressed, “No matter what enterprise it is, keeping a record of everything is very important.”
Jas Nito of Go Negosyo also spoke briefly to the participants, assuring them that programs are in place to engage the youth in agriculture. Aside from these lectures, Manuel Dimalaluan of the ATI Partnerships and Accreditation Division also talked about food safety for the consumers.
A total of 24 young farmers from Regions I to XIII were part of the activity. Aside from lectures and group workshops, they also embarked on a learning journey at the Harbest Agribusiness in Taytay, Rizal.
Nelson Bangaysiso from Negros Oriental thanked the ATI for the chance to join the activity. He also talked about some challenges he deals with in his farm, such as record-keeping, but shared his pride as a farmer, “We should not say that we are ‘just farmers’ because we earn money through farming. Farmer is the hope of our country.”
Bangaysiso further stressed the participants’ task, in turn, to enhance the capabilities of their fellow 4-H Club members.
ATI Officer-in-Charge Director Luz Taposok also graced the activity held last October 9-12, 2018. She urged the participants to “go beyond and aspire for more.”