The Agricultural Training Institute – Central Luzon (ATI-CL), in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Trade and Industry – Aurora (DTI-Aurora), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Aurora (TESDA-Aurora), and Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT), successfully conducted the Training on Farm Business School (FBS) for Coconut in Baler. The ten-day training, held from May 4 to 13, 2026, gathered twenty-eight (28) coconut farmers from various municipalities across the province of Aurora.
The training aimed to enhance the capabilities of coconut farmers by equipping them with business-oriented knowledge and entrepreneurial skills essential in managing coconut farming as a profitable and sustainable enterprise. Through the program, participants were trained not only in technical agricultural practices but also in key areas of farm business management such as farm planning, record keeping, cost and return analysis, budgeting, marketing, and financial management.
The training formally opened by Ronell D. Lagaria, Assistant Project Officer/Technical Support Staff IV. Meanwhile, Jim C. Dela Cruz, Senior Agriculturist of PCA-Aurora, delivered a message of support emphasizing the importance of transforming coconut farmers into farm entrepreneurs through innovation and enterprise development.
Throughout the training, subject matter experts from PCA-Aurora, DTI-Aurora, TESDA-Aurora, and ASCOT conducted in-depth discussions on a wide range of topic such as Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), Financial Literacy, Basic Concepts of Farm Business, Market Survey, Business Plan Development, Record Keeping, Savings and Mobilizing Finances, Value Addition, Government Support Programs and Regulatory Requirements for products and businesses.
As part of the experiential learning activities, participants conducted a market survey at the Baler Public Market, where they examined real-time pricing, supply chain systems, and consumer behavior. The participants also took part in benchmarking activities and farm visits at Aurora Cacao Agriculture Cooperative and Adeline’s Integrated Farm. These field activities provided the coconut farmers with valuable insights into effective farming practices, operational strategies, financial management, and marketing approaches that could be applied in their own enterprises.
One of the participants, Julie N. Bangkikiw, Chairman of Ditale Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, shared her reflection on the training. “Dati sa mga na-attendan ko na training ay sa farm kami nagpupunta, ito ang first time ko na pumunta kami sa palengke. Nagkaroon po tayo ng interaction sa mga customer, sa mga vendor at supplier. Nakikita ko po doon na napakalaking tulong ng market survey sa ating mga magniniyog upang makita natin ang demand at potensyal ng niyog sa merkado.”
The activity concluded with a closing message from Jeniffer L. Dugay of TESDA-Aurora, who expressed her appreciation for the successful conduct of the training. She also encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired throughout the program to further improve their livelihoods and become successful coconut farm entrepreneurs.
Written by: Ronell D. Lagaria
