MAO HOSTS LAUNCHING OF SEASON-LONG COCONUT FARM BUSINESS SCHOOL IN MANOLO FORTICH

Coconut Farm Business School Launching

On October 6, 2023, the Coconut Farm Business School (FBS) commenced its season at the Manolo Fortich municipal gymnasium. This transformative educational initiative, spearheaded by the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) in collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) Region 10, was officially inaugurated.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in partnership with DA-ATI, introduced the FBS program. Designed to empower farmers with essential knowledge and skills in farm business management and entrepreneurship, this program spans a duration of two months and encompasses 20 to 25 sessions, covering 8 comprehensive modules. The overarching aim is to equip farmers with the capabilities to proficiently manage their agricultural ventures, augment their profits, and actively contribute to sustainable rural development. The FBS adopts a "learning by doing" approach, which aligns with the practical nature of agriculture.

At present, MAO has handpicked 20 participants for the Coconut FBS, all of whom must demonstrate a strong commitment to engaging in and completing the comprehensive training. These participants hail from Barangays Lunocan, Sto Niño, San Miguel, and Maluko, and they all share the common trait of being small-scale farmers who are still honing their craft. With the unwavering support of the local government of Manolo Fortich, as well as the collaboration of DA-ATI 10 and PCA 10, MAO has secured the necessary funding to ensure the successful implementation of the FBS program.

Meanwhile, ATI-FBS Focal Person, Efren Macario, underscored the pivotal role that the FBS plays in the development of small-scale farmers. “Og walay siguradong buyer, lisod gyud muasenso ang atong mga igsoong mag-uuma. So dapat og mag-produce kita, siguradoon nato naay partner. Pinaagi aning Farm Business School, dili lang ta mag-produce but siguroon pod nato nga by the time nga naa natay harvest, kita makaginansya.”

One remarkable success story emanates from Joyme C. Remerata, a small-scale farmer from Sto Niño, Manolo Fortich, who completed the FBS program in 2015. Joyme, along with Norliza Quipanes, was recognized as the best-performing participant and received financial support from ATI - Regional Training Institution 10. This financial assistance enabled them to acquire the necessary equipment to support their respective projects. “Lisod kaayo ang kinabuhi, akong kita sa pag-uma dili gyud enough. Pasalamat kaayo ko aning ATI kay mga pusong mamon kaayo ni sila. Pati nila Ma’am Gemma, sa MAO, tungod sa ila, naa ko diri nagtindog sa inyong atubangan.” Joyme shared her inspiring journey, which involved overcoming her husband's job loss, cultivating cassava stalks, vending snacks in the local market, and eventually launching her own online snack business from the comfort of her home.

Additionally, ATI 10 Central Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez expressed her thanks to the LGU, “Dako kaayo ang akong pasalamat sa munisipyo sa Manolo Fortich sa ilang gihatag nga suporta sa mga programa sa Department of Agriculture, labi na sa amo sa ATI. Dili lamang training para sa mga farmers, para sa mga women, kung dili pati pod sa mga kabatan-onan. Usa ni ang Farm Business School sa successful namo nga program diri sa Manolo Fortich.” stated Echavez.

The Coconut FBS is a component of the PCA's Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), which was approved on June 2, 2022, by Executive Order 172, which was signed by then President Rodrigo Duterte. “Ang PCA mao ang pinaka-head agency nga mu-implement niini.” added Echavez pertaining to the Coconut FBS.

PCA 10 Regional Manager III, Manuel G. Octobre, emphasizes the significance of collaboration and support when implementing projects or programs, “Sa support sa inyong LGU, sa mga success stories, ako ang na inspire sa inyo. For me, importante gyud ang working together, collaboration sa different government agencies, ug labi na gayud sa Local Government Units.”

The commitment of the Sangguniang Bayan members, along with the presence of Vice Mayor Reynaldo Bagayas Jr., was evident at the FBS program's launch, as they came out in full force to express their support for this initiative.

Following the launch, the inaugural Coconut FBS session took place within the Sangguniang Bayan Records Room at the Legislative Building. The first session delved into Module 1, providing an in-depth overview of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan Farm Business School. This module was expertly facilitated by PCA 10 Agriculturist II, Letecia J. Ugmad.