31 ARBs graduate of Farm Business School Project

TUAO, CAGAYAN- Thirty-one (31) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from Malummin, Tuao, Cagayan  participated in the Farm Business School (FBS) project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and were able to complete the twenty-five (25) learning lessons and graduated on October 3, 2019.

The FBS project aims to train farmers on the various features of market-oriented farm management for better profitability. These ARBs learn to properly assess their lands before making plans for every cropping season as basis for choosing suitable crops. Planting suitable crops ensure the quality and quantity of their yield which is met with a good price in the market.

Through the learning-by-doing approach of the FBS, the ARBs are trained on the conduct of market survey where they acquired a better understanding and analysis of the market. Incorporated in the module were market matching forum for the farmers and the traders through which Salamin MPC (where the graduates are all members) will soon be able to close deals with established markets for their products. Essential business skills such as budgeting and keeping records were also fused in the FBS.

The Farm Business Plan anchored through the cooperative’s vision, mission and goals will be their guide from land preparation up to marketing activities.

Risk management and climate change were included in the curriculum to teach the farmers on proper adaptation such as good timing and strategy in planting. Organic farming was also emphasized and promoted among the participants as a preferred farming method for agricultural production.   

MARPO Villamor Lara and LGU-Tuao representative awarded the certificates of graduation to the farmer-entrepreneurs during the ceremony.

“I learned a lot from FBS especially modern farming practices as well as to become a farmer-entrepreneur,” One of the graduates said. “Now we can be able to transact and exchange deals with traders,” he added.  MARVI T. BULAN, PIO-Cagayan