Aiming for greater success as a farmers' group, the Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) and School for Practical Agriculture (SPA) cooperators of the Agricultural Training Institute XI (ATI XI) met for their first quarterly meeting of the year to map new directions and push new programs aimed at expanding opportunities for each member.
The meeting was held at Macatabo Farm, Baguio District, Davao City on March 30, 2022.
The activity was facilitated by ATI personnel, Mr. Felson Jay Mahumot, Agriculturist II and LSA/SPA Program Coordinator; and Mr. Rolls M. Rubis, Training Specialist I. Meanwhile, it was presided over by Engr. Ariel C. Mosquera, President of the Davao Region LSA/SPA Federation.
During his opening remarks, Mr. Genovivo A. Cajes, owner of Macatabo Farm and meeting host, welcomed his fellow cooperators to his farm. He then briefly shared his farm's background as well as his practices as a GAP-certified farm. He also urged other LSA and SPA cooperators to adopt GAP farming practices and become certified as a GAP farms by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in order to increase their credibility with consumers.
The activity also provided an opportunity for the cooperators to learn about the agricultural loans available from the DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), as Mr. Marvin Auxillo of DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division XI (AMAD XI) discussed the terms and requirements of the loan programs with them. He emphasized the significance of a good business plan in obtaining loan approval.
An election of the federation's new set of officers also took place during the meeting. Engr. Ariel C. Mosquera was re-elected as President. Other new officers include Ms. Cherrylyn Casuga, Vice President for Davao City; Mr. Daniel Aguinaldo, Vice President for Davao del Norte; Mr. Randy Albores, Vice President for Davao del Sur; Mr. Noel Quidilla, Vice President for Davao de Oro; Ms. Naomi Dimpas, Vice President for Davao Oriental; Dr. Ruben Caligner, Vice President for Davao Occidental; Ms. Cheryl Salinga, Secretary; Ms. Mariella Mandigal, Asst. Secretary; Ms. Teresita Loyola, Treasurer, Mr. Floro Bernal, and Mr. Genovivo Cajes, Bus. Managers; Ms. Sheila Grace Minor, PIO, and Ms. Janeth E. Anib, Auditor.
Further, Mr. Felson Jay Mahumot updated them on the documents for submission, such as the Semestral Accomplishment Reports and the Status of Assistance Provided Report for the new LSAs certified last CY 2021.
After the meeting, the group had a farm tour inside Macatabo Farm.
This was the cooperators' second face-to-face gathering since the pandemic, following their first onsite meeting in December last year, held at Addams Haven in Tarragona, Davao Oriental.
