30 agrarian farmers complete farm business training
BUTUAN CITY -- Thirty agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province of Agusan del Norte recently completed the 25 training sessions of the program on Farm Business School (FBS) facilitated by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) provincial office recently held in Brgy. Cahayagan, Carmen town.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Glen A. Petilla of DAR-Agusan del Norte said, “The participants are members of the Cahayagan Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Cooperative (CAREBCO) in Barangay Cahayagan, Carmen. Also, the program is set to revolutionize their farming practices and increase profitability.”
"The farmers learned through 'learning by doing' approach that focuses on entrepreneurial skills to improve productivity and family income. With this new knowledge, they are poised to make strides towards financial independence," Petilla added.
“FBS is an avenue for the farmers to transform themselves from mere farmers to farm entrepreneurs, adopting entrepreneurial skills for their vegetable production business,” Petilla said.
Carmen Mayor Ramon M. Calo, represented by Joseph Delos Santos, municipal agriculture officer, said that this is an opportunity for the farmers to cultivate crops and transform them as entrepreneurs.
“The FBS program will enable them to take charge of their economic destinies," Delos Santos stated.
A convergence effort between DAR and LGU-Carmen, along with strong support from DA- Agricultural Training Institute, Department of Trade and Industry, and CARBECO have reaped significant benefits from the full implementation of the project in Barangay Cahayagan.
Fe M. Harnett, chairperson of CARBECO, expressed enthusiasm on the said program as it has significant impact to the lives of the members. She also shared her gratitude towards DAR and other stakeholders saying, "With continuous support ranging from farm tools to entrepreneurial training, I am grateful for this holistic approach that has opened doors for great business opportunities to our cooperative and to the members.” (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
