Baybay City, Leyte — Certified organic farmers enhanced their knowledge, skills, and mindset for managing sustainable organic agriculture enterprises during the “Training on Farm Business School (FBS) on Organic Agriculture for PGS Accredited Group (Phase 1)” held from October 13 to 17, 2025. The training aimed to equip participants with the tools necessary to develop and manage successful farm businesses.
The FBS enabled participants to understand financial literacy concepts, differentiate the roles of farmers as entrepreneurs, and analyze cost and profit. They also presented market analyses, formulated their own farm business vision and goals, developed business plans, and applied record-keeping concepts.
Participants gained hands-on experience conducting market surveys, creating business model canvasses, and formulating strategic farm business plans. The training emphasized financial literacy, entrepreneurial thinking, and sustainable management practices tailored to organic agriculture.
Participants expressed gratitude for the learning experience. Cristine Mirasol said, “The training venue was very conducive, and the food was delicious and natural. The resource persons were highly knowledgeable and approachable. We learned so much, especially about implementing what we learned. We plan to share these lessons in our municipalities to help improve the livelihoods of our women and youth.”
Youth farmer Joe Boy Oprin added, “I am thankful to be invited as a youth farmer. I met fellow co-farmers and future focal persons for the OA program. Even when challenged by nature, we learned a lot. We now understand what a farm business entails and how organic farming can be shared and practiced in our communities, even gradually. This is to provide safe and healthy food and to educate the youth in schools—truly ‘from Roots to Riches.’”
Maribeth M. Solayao also noted, “Even as a farmer, I was able to keep up with everyone. When we return to our areas, we will apply what we learned to further improve organic farming. Many thanks to everyone.”
The training was held at ATI-RTC 8, VSU, Baybay City, Leyte, and marks the first phase of efforts to strengthen the capacities of PGS-accredited organic farmers in sustainable farm business development.
