EASTERN SAMAR, March 11, 2022 – The Department of Agriculture- Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA- SAAD) Program in partnership with the Gen. MacArthur Local Government Unit conducted a capability enhancement training to enhance the financial management skills of the Roxas Farmers Association (RFA), a Farmers’ Cooperative and Association (FCA) in Sitio Inuulanguhan, Barangay Roxas.

As part of the strengthened localized training initiatives for the farmer-beneficiaries, all 16 active members of the RFA underwent the training on February 3. Municipal Agriculturist Mrs. Emalyn O. Somono and DA- SAAD Area Coordinator (AC) Ms. Marlyn D. Gordora served as resource speakers, while the Municipal Agricultural Services (OMAS) Gen. MacArthur sponsored the snacks for the participants.

The RFA received a Layer Chicken Egg Production and Marketing Enterprise in December 2021 from the savings fund of the same year. The project worth Php 861,000 consists of 480 ready-to-lay (RTL) chicken and 150 bags of layer feeds.

“Damo nga salamat nga nakanhe kami niyo. kay han una an amon pag record in dire itemize labi na an expenses. Tapos an benta naka total na waray itemize han sizes. Pati an amon production data dire gihap itemize an sizes. Yana ma aram na kami han simple nga recording han amon cash flow. Yana klarado na kun iton amon record kun makain an amon kwarta kay nakikita na ha amon record kay klaru,” shared Ireneo Arias, RFA President.

(Thank you very much for coming here. Because at first, our production data and records had not been detailed, even our sales and expenses were only totaled and not itemized. Now, we know how to simply record our cash flow. It is now clear where our money goes since the record is now clear.)

Through the training, the FCA members were able to set directions to further develop and expand their project using the net income derived from the enterprise while having their monthly dividends.

The resource speakers emphasized the importance of financial management and record-keeping as fundamentals of effective enterprise management, and are useful practices that should be carried out for the planned expansion of the project.

With the continued support of the stakeholders, as well as the openness, unity, and perseverance of the farmers to learn more, surely the goal of being an established community-based enterprise (CBE) is a step closer every day. ###

Writer: Marlyn D. Gordora Area Coordinator II, PPMSO E. Samar