PANABO CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE – ATI-RTC XI acknowledges the essential role of entrepreneurship in promoting innovation, generating jobs, and stimulating economic growth. However, many small and micro-businesses, especially in the agricultural sector, encounter challenges such as limited technical skills, underdeveloped business capabilities, and difficulty in accessing resources. These obstacles often impede their potential for growth and sustainability.
To address these challenges, ATI-RTC XI spearheaded a Training on Enterprise Development for Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan - Shared Processing Facilities (CFIDP-SPFs) Beneficiaries held from May 26-28, 2025, at the ATI Training Hall in Brgy. Datu Abdul Dadia.
Thirty (30) coconut farmers were equipped with essential entrepreneurial knowledge, technical skills, and a growth-oriented mindset.
Participating cooperatives included the Katipunan Small Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, AgroForestry Farmers Producers Cooperative, Nabunturan Farmer Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Bantacan Small Coconut Farmers Cooperative, COSTAFBA Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative, and the Integrated Multi-Ventures of Barangay Cacao Consumers Cooperative.
This training included a series of lectures, discussions, and workshops aimed at preparing participants for the competitive market environment. It was designed to help them identify value-adding opportunities, improve operational efficiency, and develop sustainable business enterprises that support rural development and drive economic growth.
In addition, the training also prepared them to manage and operate SPFs for coconut by-products, including Virgin Coconut Oil production, coconut sugar processing, and coir manufacturing.
Topics undertaken during the sessions included Entrepreneurship, where participants learned the fundamentals of starting and managing a sustainable business venture. This was followed by modules on Bookkeeping and Accounting, which emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate financial records to promote transparency and long-term viability.
Participants also explored Marketing Principles and Strategies, gaining valuable insights on identifying target markets, crafting unique value propositions, and building customer loyalty.
A session on Digital Marketing introduced members to various online tools and platforms that can help expand their market reach and improve customer engagement.
To further enhance product visibility, discussions on Advertising and Promotion highlighted creative and cost-effective techniques for marketing cooperative products. This was complemented by a module on Product Labelling and Cooperative Branding, where participants learned the importance of compliant, attractive, and value-driven product labels that reflect the cooperative’s identity.
The training was wrapped up with a session on the Standard Chart of Accounts for Cooperatives, providing participants with a unified financial system to support accurate record-keeping and audit preparedness.
"We are truly grateful that our cooperative was selected to receive this technology and the knowledge shared with us by our speakers, who generously imparted their expertise. We also want to express our gratitude to ATI Davao Region for their unwavering support in prioritizing us for the extension services provided to us and our colleagues. We assure you that we will value, nurture, and put to good use the assistance you have given us. This support is a significant contribution to the development of our cooperative and to improving our income," shared Mr. Jimmy E. Dongiapon, Manager of the Agroforestry Farmers Producers Cooperative.
ATI-RTC XI hopes that through this initiative under the CFIDP Program, coconut farmers will be confident and inspired to apply their new knowledge in enhancing the operations and market competitiveness of their cooperatives.
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Contributor: Ruby Jane Bentiroso
