FBS LAUNCHES 6TH BATCH TO TRAIN POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURS IN MANOLO FORTICH

Farm Business School Batch 6

The Farm Business School (FBS) Program of the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich continues to be an avenue for honing local agricultural practitioners into large-scale agricultural entrepreneurs since 2016, as it launched its 6th Batch on November 7, 2024, at the ABC Hall, Barangay Tankulan, Manolo Fortich.

Committee Chairperson on Farmers, Coun. Elzevir A. Dagunlay, highlighted in his message during the launch how this program has created opportunities for the vast agricultural areas of Manolo Fortich: “Atong area diri is an agricultural area. Daghan ta’g mga produkto nga gikan gyud sa atong mga kaumahan nga ibaligya lang sa atong mga local farmers as raw material. Dinhi sa atong Farm Business School, atong gi improve ang value sa atong mga produkto. Karon, kung atong studyhan, daghan kaayo’g produkto gikan sa cassava, saging, ug uban pa.”

Around 25 students have confirmed their registration for the FBS Batch 6, according to Municipal Agricultural Office (MAO) FBS Focal Person Maribeth A. Barrio. The agricultural products that students have proposed to train on include Cassava Chips, Banana Chips, Meat Processing, Feed Formulation, and more. The students consist of first timers with no experience, farmers, and professionals interested in food production—each with a desire to learn about food production and marketing.

Furthermore, Municipal Agriculturist Gemma G. Cania extended her commendation to the participants for their initiative in joining the free program: “You are one of the few nga naghuna-huna gyud to really enhance yourself ug kung unsay kaugmaon sa inyong pamilya. This is the first step to understanding agriculture apil ang potential sa inyong mga products.”

Among the registered students is Cresencia Laraño Labininay from Barangay Minsuro, who shared that joining the FBS can help her family make better use of the cassava from their farm: “Nag sige rami’g himo didto og benggala kay mao na kasagara tanom namo didto. Permi ra suman or kiping among gaka buhat nga produkto gikan sa benggala. Mga ingana lang. Dili pami kabalo anang mga cake. Mga mixture ani ug ingredients. So pwede ko gyud na matun’an diri.”

Also present at the launch was Committee Chairperson on Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Coun. Raquel A. Bayacag. The students will undergo at least 16 classes or sessions every Thursday until February 2025, with graduation set for February 27.