Bohol – The Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) continues to empower coconut farmers with innovative skills through a Selling Skills Seminar held on November 22, 2024, at Gazeebo De Loon, in the municipality of Loon, this province. The activity aimed to enhance participants' selling skills by providing them with practical techniques, strategies, and insights to unlock their inner salesmanship.
The seminar was participated in by twenty-five (25) coconut farmers/entrepreneurs and members of the Loon Small Coconut Farmers Agriculture Cooperative learned the essential selling strategies, customer engagement techniques, effective marketing approaches, and proper costing and pricing.
Mr. Mark Tuyogan a former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bohol staff served as the resource speaker who emphasized the importance of building customer relationships, negotiating effectively, and presenting products attractively. A special focus was given to leveraging the unique value of coconut products.
”Ang among ginabuhat unsaon pag baligya na pun-an ang among skills kung unsaon pag atubang sa tawo, unsaon pag storya nga effective sa customer.” Said Christy Marsamolo one of the participants.
Interactive workshops allowed participants to apply the concepts learned, with exercises that simulated real-life selling scenarios. Farmers shared their experiences, challenges, and strategies, creating an enriching exchange of ideas.
Participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity. One attendee Jofrey Simbajon, shared, “Mapasalamaton kaayo ko og dako, nga naka apil niining training sa selling skills seminar. Kay importante kaayo ang marketing ug sales sa negosyo. Makadugang pag improve sa among produkto, hilabi na sa pagbaligya o pag introduce sa among produkto, ug sa computation sa product costs ug profit.”
The Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, a government initiative aimed at improving the livelihoods of coconut farmers, ensures continuous support through capacity-building activities like this seminar. By addressing both production, marketing, and sales, the program contributes significantly to developing the coconut industry in the Philippines.
The event concluded with a strong commitment from the attendees to apply their newly acquired skills and contribute to the local economy by increasing the market reach of their products.
Doris Isabel J. Racho, DM of the Agricultural Training Institute- VII served as the project officer assisted by Shanemie Carelle D. Pradera. Present also was Ms. Yoradyl Israel the CFIDP Focal Person of DTI Bohol.