Responding to the training needs, reaching and empowering far-flung communities

Needs-based and client-specific interventions to service delivery are at the core of the DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) CALABARZON.

Through and under the visionary leadership of Center Director Dr. Rolando V. Maningas, the DA-ATI CALABARZON translates this mantra into action, responding to the training needs of its clientele and reaching even far-flung communities in the region.

Epitomizing this commitment, the recently concluded “Training on Coconut Farm Business School (FBS)” serves as a testament to how dedicated the Center is and the extra miles it takes to deliver quality and excellent service.

In response to the intent of Kilusan para sa Repormang Agraryo at Katarungang Panlipunan (KATARUNGAN) that seeks to become a beneficiary of ATI’s training programs, Center Director Maningas initiated tapping other agencies to help accommodate the said request.

Kilusan para sa Repormang Agraryo at Katarungang Panlipunan or KATARUNGAN is a federation of cooperatives based at the tip of Bondoc Peninsula in Quezon province. It consists of Kasama sa Pag-unlad Agriculture Cooperative (Brgy. Butanguiad, San Francisco, Quezon); Masikap na Magniniyog Cooperative or MAMACO (Brgy. Villa Reyes, San Narciso, Quezon); South Bondoc Cooperative (Brgy. Camflora, San Andres, Quezon); and Nasalaan Agriculture Cooperative (Brgy. Nasalaan, San Francisco, Quezon).

Last May 10, the DA-ATI CALABARZON headed by Center Director Maningas and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region IV-A held a meeting with representatives from KATARUNGAN. KATARUNGAN raised its concerns, from where the DA-ATI CALABARZON and PCA IV-A assessed the gap and identified the training needs.

Equipping each member with knowledge and skills in instituting and managing an enterprise, as well as strengthening cooperatives, transpired during the meeting. Thus, after deliberation, they came up with the conduct of the ATI’s training on farm business school (FBS) at the barangay level under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).

Aiming to capacitate the members of the federation in farm business management and access funding from government programs, the DA-ATI CALABARZON together with the PCA IV-A launched the “Training on Coconut Farm Business School (FBS)” on July 25 in San Narciso, Quezon.

The said participants came from cooperatives Kasama sa Pag-unlad Agriculture Cooperative, Masikap na Magniniyog Cooperative, and Nasalaan Agriculture Cooperative.

Every Thursday starting July 25 until September 26, there were sessions allowing the 25 participants to familiarize themselves with the objectives and structure of an FBS and describe the essential elements of a farm business plan, including a mission statement, goals, farm production, marketing plan, and action plan.

In the course of the 10-day intensive training, the participants were also able to practice drafting sections or components of a farm business plan, outline the role of financial institutions in supporting agriculture and rural development, and explain the eligibility criteria and application process for accessing government programs and loans. These practical learning opportunities were made possible by subject matter specialists, DA-ATI CALABARZON, and PCA IV-A through the PCA Quezon II office.

Culminating all the knowledge and skills gained by the participants and reaping the success of the program, the graduation ceremony was held last October 18 in San Narciso, Quezon.

Center Director Maningas personally graced the said culmination, expressing his gratitude to all the individuals who made the training program remarkably successful, especially on the end of the participants. He also expressed high hopes that the training was able to enhance the capabilities of coconut farmers in business planning and management—leading to the empowerment of communities at the tip of Bondoc Peninsula.

Bound by its mandate and the aspiration to uplift farm and fisher communities, the DA-ATI CALABARZON under the transformational supervision of Center Director Maningas will continue to respond to the training needs of its clientele, reach, and empower them regardless of the distance through outstanding services.