The Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center I (DA-ATI RTC I), through the Career Development and Management Section (CDMS), conducted the Training of Trainers (ToT) on Farm Business School (FBS) for Rice-Based Enterprise for Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) with FFS Re-entry Plans from May 19 to 23, 2025, at ATI-RTC I, Tebag East, Santa Barbara, Pangasinan. The activity is part of the ongoing effort to strengthen AEWs’ capacities in guiding farmers toward entrepreneurial agriculture under the Rice-Based Enterprise Clustering initiative.
The five-day training aimed to equip AEWs with the skills necessary to facilitate farmer-level Farm Business Schools, focusing on improving competencies in business planning, market analysis, and group development. A total of 25 participants from various local government units in Region I attended the training, each tasked to prepare a re-entry plan for implementing FBS in their respective municipalities.
Sessions were led by resource persons from ATI-RTC I and partner organizations from both government and private, covering topics such as FBS concepts, farming as a business, market survey techniques, farm business plan preparation, financial management, and proper record-keeping. Notable speakers included Ms. Jeimelie C. Constantino of ATI-RTC I, Mr. Jomar R. Palsimon of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and Ms. Lea Astrude T. Santiago of Our Farm Republic. These sessions underscored the importance of entrepreneurial thinking, documentation, and market orientation in enhancing farm profitability.
Participants provided positive feedback, affirming the training's relevance and impact. Donalyn N. Domingo of LGU-Piddig, Ilocos Norte, described the sessions as interactive and empowering, praising the resource persons' competence and the motivational atmosphere throughout the training. Maelin G. See of LGU-Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur, appreciated the new insights on farm management, while Ma. Mercedes M. Velasco of LGU-Pugo, La Union, highlighted the practical applications of the lessons to real-world extension work. All three participants expressed their readiness to apply the training outcomes in their localities and their shared commitment to supporting farmer development.
Through this initiative, DA-ATI RTC I aims to empower AEWs as local champions of agripreneurship and inclusive rural development. By equipping extension workers with practical business skills and methodologies, the training contributes to the broader goal of transforming rice-based farming systems into sustainable, market-driven enterprises that enhance livelihoods and food security in the region.
