Kabacan, Cotabato- On Day 6 of the Training of Trainers for the Coconut-based Farm Business School, Ms. Esmaira G. Gunsayan, DPA, began the session by fostering an interactive discussion among participants. She invited each of them to provide an overview of their farm or cooperative, detailing the products they offer and the target markets they serve. 

This exercise not only gave participants the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences but also provided valuable insights into the diverse challenges and opportunities they face. It set a strong foundation for the day's learning, created a collaborative learning environment and cultivates exchange of ideas.

Ms. Gunsayan then explained the importance of applying the farm business cycle concept to understand the structure and key components of an FBS program. Participants were introduced to the development of an FBS meeting schedule and were guided on how to carry out benchmarking—focusing on identifying key aspects of the farm that should be compared for improvement. She also emphasized the benefits of benchmarking, such as enhancing efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

The session also included a deep dive into the purpose of the Farm Business School and the value of conducting a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. This was a pivotal moment, as participants learned how to assess their farm businesses and identify areas for growth and improvement. Following this, the participants were divided into three groups, each tasked with developing and presenting a strategy for starting their own Farm Business School in a way that would be effective and tailored to their specific contexts.

In the afternoon, participants took time to reflect on the day's lessons, sharing their key takeaways and insights gained from the resource person. Energized by the new knowledge, they then shifted their focus to crafting and brainstorming ideas for their own farm business plans. Applying the principles, they had learned, they worked on developing practical and actionable strategies for building sustainable coconut-based enterprises. 

As the day drew to a close, the atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm, as participants left feeling empowered, equipped with the tools and insights necessary to make meaningful improvements and drive growth in their farm businesses.