MASBATE, November 11, 2022 – As part of the program’s initiative in capacitating farmers in addition to technical knowledge about farming production, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program conducted a training on Organizational Development among farmers’ associations (FAs) on September 29-30, 2022 in Mandaon and Balud, Masbate.
The first batch of training was held on September 29 at Brgy. Nailaban, Mandaon and was participated by thirty (30) farmer-beneficiaries from six (6) FAs, namely; Bon-oco, Dayao FA, Alas Mandaon Farmer Irrigators Association Inc., Cabitan FA, Burabod FA, Centro Mandaon FA, and Nanipsan Mandaon FA. The participating FAs are recipients of SAAD Program’s Rice Production Package.Â
Meanwhile, the second batch of training, held at Brgy. Poblacion, Balud on September 30, was participated by another 30 farmer-participants and representatives from seven (7) FAs, namely; Danao Farmers Group Association (DAFARGA), Guinbanwahan Small Water Impounding System Association, Dao FA, Pajo FA, Panuiranan FA, Sampad FA, and Nagkakaisang Mamamayan Tungo Sa Kaunlaran ng Panubigan (NAMATUKA).
The aforementioned FAs are recipients of various projects of the SAAD Program. Guinbanwahan Small Water Impounding System Association and Pajo FA – Rice Production package; the Dao FA – Chicken Production and Enterprise Development package; the Panguirangan FA – Duck Production package; the Sampad FA – Organic Agriculture Production and Enterprise Development package; and NAMATUKA – Vegetable Production and Enterprise Development package.Â
Agriculture and Biosystems Engineer Mr. Jeffry J. Arevalo of Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) led the training by discussing agricultural development for improved management and competency and providing salient points on teamwork, communication and leadership skills. Apart from being a college instructor, Engr. Arevalo is known to have given numerous discussions on Organizational Development to Department of Agrarian Reform beneficiaries during his tenure in the said office.Â
The discussion’s objective is to help the participants develop good communication and leadership skills, shape their ability to facilitate and participate as a member of the team, and spark their willingness to collaborate in each of their groups. This will help strengthen the FAs through cooperation among members and provide efficient results on the projects provided by the program.
Moreover, the attendees actively participated in the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis activity which identified and analyzed each of their group and individual factors that affect their organizations. This can guide FAs to develop better policy guidelines and effective project management.
Good communication and teamwork are considered the common denominators among the participating FAs’ strengths while lack of strategic management was determined as their common weakness. Bad weather also poses a threat for most of the participants considering its negative effect on their crops. Meanwhile, the production and entrepreneurial capability training under different commodities such as rice, poultry and livestock, organic agriculture, and high value crops conducted by the SAAD earlier this year and agricultural interventions awarded by the program served as opportunities for the participants to sustain their livelihood in their communities.Â
The activity is part of the capability enhancement initiatives of the program to ensure the empowerment of SAAD beneficiaries in managing interventions given to them and especially to encourage project sustainability. Given the purpose of the training to the beneficiaries, the participating FAs plan to improve their organization and project management capitalizing on their identified strengths and addressing weaknesses identified in the training. ###Â
Writer: Jay A. Ogaya, DA-SAAD Masbate Information Officer
Photo Source: Jay A. Ogaya, DA-SAAD Masbate Information Officer
Sources: DA-SAAD Masbate
