To ensure the approval and successful implementation of the interns' preferred organic enterprise, Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Institute VIII (ATI-RTC 8) conducted a 2-day seminar on business project preparation on August 30-31, 2023, at La Granja de Reyna Farm, Tacloban City, for the fourteen organic agriculture (OA) interns in Eastern Visayas.
The seminar was filled with insightful sessions and mentoring. Ms. Graciel V. Gacutan, ATI-RTC 8's OA focal person, discussed various topics, including the role of young farmers in societal transformation, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the importance of a well-structured business model canvas. Mr. Christian Keruel Y. Laurente also introduced digital marketing strategies, highlighting how to effectively use tools like Canva to create social media cards for promoting their agricultural products.
Furthermore, Mr. Dalmacio L. Pajanustan, ATI-RTC 8's Assistant Center Director and an agribusiness expert, assisted each intern by meticulously reviewing their Business Model Canvas, ensuring its viability and profitability. The interns made necessary revisions based on the comments and feedback from the speakers.
Mr. Claro Mirasol, one of the interns, expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). He said, "Since the start of the program until now, as we prepare our business proposal, they have been here to guide us and ensure the feasibility of our enterprise. With this training, we were able to focus on one enterprise instead of many, making it viable and profitable."
With the knowledge and skills acquired during the two-day seminar, these OA interns are now better equipped to create viable and profitable agri-enterprises. They are set to submit their final proposals to ATI-RTC 8 in October 2023 and present them on November 10, 2023, receiving start-up project support funds once approved. (Written by Christian Keruel Y. Laurente)
