Thirty (30) farmer-members from Paninaan Multipurpose Cooperative of Barangay Paninaan in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte transformed themselves into farmer-entrepreneurs as they graduated from the Farm Business School (FBS) program of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Engr. Vic M. Ines said the FBS aims to develop agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to become agricultural entrepreneurs and promote farming as a business venture from which ARBs can have additional income.

“DAR, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, initiated the FBS to teach farmers essential matters on bookkeeping, cash flows, market surveys, selling and costing, and proper packaging of their products,” Ines said.

Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Rommel R. Aquino said 19 males and 11 females graduated from the FBS 25-session program.

He disclosed that during the twenty-five (25) session program, the DAR was able to educate, capacitate, and empower the 30 ARBs on various entrepreneurial skills and advance farming practices for them to properly manage the produce from the lands that DAR has awarded to them up to its marketing stage.

Municipal Agriculturist William Ulep, Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Leonila M. Agcaoili, and Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer Reynalda A. Quiamas also graced the graduation ceremony.

Tatlumpung (30) mga magsasakang-miyembro mula sa Paninaan Multipurpose Cooperative ng Barangay Paninaan sa Bacarra, Ilocos Norte ang naging magsasakang-negosyante nang magtapos sila sa programang Farm Business School (FBS) ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Ayon kay Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Engr. Vic M. Ines na layunin ng FBS na turuan ang mga agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) na maging mga agricultural entrepreneur at isulong ang pagsasaka bilang isang negosyo na mapagkukuhanan ng mga ARB ng karagdagang kita.

“Ang DAR, sa pakikipagtulungan sa Department of Agriculture, ay nagpasimula ng FBS para ituro sa mga magsasaka ang mga mahahalagang kaalaman tungkol sa bookkeeping, cash flow, market survey, pagbebenta at paggastos at wastong pagpapakete ng kanilang mga produkto,” ani Ines.

Sinabi ni Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Rommel R. Aquino na 19 na lalaki at 11 babae ang nagtapos sa 25-sesyon ng programa ng FBS.

Ipinahayag niya na sa loob ng dalawamput-limang (25) sesyon na programa, nagawa ng DAR na turuan, bigyang kapasidad at bigyang kapangyarihan ang 30 ARB sa iba’t ibang kasanayan sa pagnenegosyo at pagsulong ng mga kasanayan sa pagsasaka para maayos nilang mapamahalaanan ang kanilang mga ani mula sa lupang ipinagkaloob sa kanila ng DAR hanggang sa paraan ng pagbebenta ng kanilang mga produkto.

Dumalo rin sa naturang graduation ceremony sina Municipal Agriculturist William Ulep, Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Leonila M. Agcaoili, at Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer Reynalda A. Quiamas.