Farm Business School produces farmer-entrepreneurs
PIDE, Sagada, Mt. Province – 31 farmers in this community are transforming into farmer-entrepreneurs after completion of their Farm Business School this November 11, 2019.
The course being implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform, applies a hands-on tutoring on basic farm recording, bookkeeping and accounting while undergoing scientific farming. It starts from land preparation, planting, till harvest and marketing.
Recording of their inputs versus outputs and expenses versus gross sales, would make them realize that farming is a business. As such, they monitor their expenses and are more responsive in utilizing the technologies of production to avoid wastage of inputs while at the same time ensuring a good harvest.
Shiela Patong, a graduate said, “we are very lucky as recipients of the DAR’s Farm Business School because we were taught on the preparation of farm business plan that guided our farm production.”
Another shared that before the farm business school, he sells his crops without knowing if he gained or lost. After his learnings, he already accounts for all the expenses, and knows what he expects to earn in return .
Upon seeing the enthusiasm of the graduates, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Adela Damaso challenged them to always apply their learnings and ensure the success of their farms which will eventually redound to the transforming of their lives and that of their families.
The graduates are members of the Pide Aguid Fedilisan Multi-purpose cooperative, members of Aguid Gardeners Organization, O-ong Producers Association, and Guesang Farmers Organization, Inc all in Sagada, Mt. Province. - by Sonia C. Batnag