March 12, 2025- In a significant step toward transforming local farmers into entrepreneurs, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Iloilo, in partnership with the Municipal and Barangay Local Government Units (LGUs) of Calinog, Iloilo, officially launched the enhanced Farm Business School (FBS) program.

The said launching and memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing activity happened in Barangay Aglibacao, Calinog, Iloilo bringing 33 agrarian reform beneficiaries to benefit the program. This initiative adopts a learning-by-doing and clustering approach with 17 sessions to be facilitated by FBS Point Person Jay Cabalhin (ARPO I) along with trained Agroenterprise Development Facilitator (AEF) in Iloilo equipping farmers with essential business skills to maximize productivity and marketability of their produce.

During the launch, former Vice Mayor and Executive Assistant Renato Casinao, representing Hon. Mayor Francisco L. Calvo of Calinog, Iloilo, emphasized the importance of organization and entrepreneurship among farmers. He encouraged the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization (ARBO) composed of members from Barangay Aglibacao and Lonoy to wisely choose their officers and members with willingness and determination to strengthen their cooperative. He further discussed the vision of Mayor Calvo on the convergence program that brings together the DAR, the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to enhance farmers’ livelihoods and make farming a sustainable economic venture.

Harriet A. Loot, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II of DAR Iloilo, highlighted the entrepreneurial opportunities that the FBS offers. “FBS leads to entrepreneurship. In creating business, you need to ensure the sustainability of supply and a steady production” she stressed. “The DAR will play a crucial role in helping you market your products, aligning with its mission to improve the quality of life for every Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB),” she added.

In strengthening partnerships for agricultural development, the event also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DAR, the municipal and BLGUs of Aglibacao and Lonoy, as well as the Aglibacao-Lonoy Agrarian Reform Cooperative (ALARCO), solidifying their commitment to advancing the welfare of the farmers.

The launching and MOA signing activity was attended and facilitated by key participants including Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Mercy Caspillo and staff Rojane Orencio (SARPT) and Jally Ann Latoza (ARPO I), Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) personnel under the Enterprise Development and Economic Support (EDES) Section including Gemma Gaje, Jolymar Cadunggan and Vivian Calawigan, all ARPO I led by its OIC-SARPO and Section Chief Precy C. Cabio.

The establishment of the Farm Business School represents a promising future for farmers especially in Calinog, Iloilo, shifting their role from mere cultivators to agripreneurs, ensuring a more profitable, stable, and self-sustaining agricultural sector.