PANABO CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE—ATI-RTC XI conducted a 12-day Training of Trainers (TOT) on Farm Business School, which was successfully completed by 21 coconut farmers and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from March 24 to April 4, 2025.
The TOT-FBS equipped the AEWs and selected coconut farmers across the region with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively conduct FBS sessions in their communities.
The training deepened the participants’ understanding of agribusiness principles, farm planning, and marketing strategies tailored to coconut-based enterprises. Moreover, it built their facilitation and coaching competencies, enabling them to guide fellow farmers in making informed, business-oriented decisions.
One of the key activities done during the training was the market survey at Tagum City Public Market. Through this hands-on exercise, participants applied their learnings on the use of practical tools and techniques to assess demand, pricing trends, and the competitive landscape for coconut-based products in both local and regional markets.
Participants gained a deeper understanding of market dynamics, enabling them to identify viable business opportunities to make informed decisions for their coconut farming enterprises. Ultimately, the survey empowered farmers with market-driven insights to better position their products and enhance their competitiveness in the marketplace.
The benchmarking activity gave participants a hands-on opportunity to visit two accredited Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs): (1) Ge-an Goat and Dairy Farm at Purok 4, Brgy. Quezon, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, and the (2) Nabunturan Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NAFAMCO) at Purok 2, Brgy. Linda, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro.
During their visit, they observed the LSA's best practices in farm management, production techniques, and community engagement, participants gained valuable insights they can replicate and adapt to their farms or localities.
As an output of the training, the participants presented their business plans. Their proposed business models demonstrated their grasp of key agribusiness concepts and showed how they plan to apply these ideas in real-world scenarios, particularly within coconut-based enterprises.
Through structured critiques and feedback from resource persons, facilitators, and fellow participants, the presenters gained valuable insights that helped pinpoint areas for improvement, address potential risks, and enhance the feasibility and sustainability of their plans.
The combination of hands-on activities, feedback, and collaborative learning throughout the training equipped participants with the knowledge and skills to transform their coconut-based business ideas into viable, sustainable enterprises. Through their active engagement in market assessments, benchmarking, and business plan critiques, participants are now prepared to make informed decisions, foster innovation, and drive the growth of the coconut farming sector.
ATI hopes that through this training, the participants will serve as local champions who roll out the FBS approach, foster entrepreneurial mindsets, and boost the income and livelihood of coconut farming households.
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Contributor: Ruby Jane Bentiroso
