The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center 2 (ATI-RTC 02) successfully conducted the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Farm Business School (FBS) for Rice-based Enterprises at the ATI-RTC 02, Malasin, San Mateo, Isabela. The training was participated by the 30 participants, including farm school owners, trainers, facilitators, and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) on November 18 to 29, 2024
The training commenced with a warm welcome message of Dr. Claris M. Alaska, the OIC -Center Director of ATI-RTC 02. “May you enjoy your stay here as well as to make the most of the program. We appreciate your presence and we are looking forward to the future innovations that you will do in your farm,” Dr. Alaska said.
The goal of the training is to enhance the knowledge and skills of the participants on entrepreneurial and fundamental management of farm business or enterprise.
During the lectures on the Entrepreneurial Mindsetting and Financial Literacy by Mr. Arturo Tabbu, General Manager of Lighthouse Cooperative. He emphasized the importance of financial planning to achieve long-term financial freedom, encouraging participants to adopt a more strategic approach to managing their resources. Also, ATI staff experts guided the participants through the FBS modules and explained the components of farm business plans and guiding participants in developing a group farm business plan.
These sessions underscored the importance of treating farming as a business and not merely as a livelihood. Participants learned about the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs, crafting a farm vision and goals, managing risks in farm production, selecting the best enterprises to integrate with rice production, understanding Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and mastering essential skills like record-keeping.
Additionally, Precious Anne S. Partible, Marketing Specialist II from the Department of Agriculture - Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (DA-AMAD), shared valuable insights on Marketing and Group Buying. Her session empowered participants to enhance the marketability of their products. To add value to farm produce, Chef Cornelio C. Ventura III demonstrated a variety of farm-to-table recipes, providing creative ideas for product innovation.
Participants also conducted a market survey at Santiago Public City Market, an activity designed to give them a deeper understanding of market dynamics and consumer behavior during peak trading hours. This provided valuable insights into pricing strategies, supply chain operations, and the decision-making processes of buyers and sellers and apart from it the participants were also engaged in benchmarking activities.
Meanwhile, Francisco L. Magaway, Jr. of R and D Oliveros Institute of Technology and Agri-Tourism Corporation, Roxas, Isabela is thankful to ATI. “Malaki ang ganap ng ATI sa pagkatao ko dahil na upgrade lahat pati ang mindset ko, my passion and my devotion in farming dahil sa maganda at magaling na teaching methodology na ginagawa nila dito. Kung hindi ako nakapag training dito sa Farm Business School (FBS) ay blangko pa ang future ng farm ko, hindi ganun kalakihan ang area ko pero dahil dito sa training na ito ay marami akong enterprises na gusto ko nang gawin ngayon,” he said.
In return, the graduate are expected to apply and share the knoweledge and technologies they have learned during the conduct of trainings in their respective Farm schools.
