SOUTH COTABATO, October 27, 2023 – Twenty (20) farmers associations (FAs) from Sultan Kudarat Province, Sarangani Province, Cotabato Province, and South Cotabato underwent Agri-Enterprise and Development Training after receiving livelihood assistance from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) in SOCCSKSARGEN aimed at strengthening farmers’ capability as agripreneurs.

The event, held on July 24 to August 11, 2023, was simultaneously conducted in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Cotabato, and South Cotabato.

Among the resource speakers were Mr. Stefan Barbera, Business Development Officer, and Ms. Ana Victoria Montejo, Enterprise Development and Marketing Specialist, from the Enterprises Development and Marketing Specialist (EDMS) – Investment in Rural Enterprise Agricultural and Fishery Productivity (i-REAP); Ms. Irize Joy Tabayag, Focal Person of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC); and Ms. Annafe Villeza from Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) – Midsayap. 

A total of 100 beneficiaries belonging to twenty (20) farmers associations (FAs) participated during the training. These FAs are Kabulanan highlanders FA; Balnate Peace and Development Volunteers FA; Kamantulon Irrigators FA; Makat Peace and Development Volunteers FA; Malegdeg Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and Diversified Farm Owner Association; Baluan FA; Kematu FA;  Kemalod Kedungon mo Tnalak Native Products Trading; Upper Maculan FA; I Love Tampakan Palo 19 FA; Golden Hands RIC Buto; Calawag Veg. Growers Association; Galilee RIC; Prk.II Upper Meocan FA; Amnas Integrated FA; Inag Coffee FA Inc.; Lumigo Cogon FA; Dabofa Datal Basak FA; Salbuyan Organic  FA; and Datal Batong FA.

Various topics on Project Proposal Making, Access to Finance, Agri-Fishery Credit Programs, F2C2, Business Requirements and Licensing, Financial Management, Basic Bookkeeping, and Accounting were discussed by the resource speakers. 

“Malaki talaga ang tulong saamin nitong training lalong-lalo sa amin na mga opisyales ng asosasyon, nadagdagan po ang aming kaalaman lalo na sa pag-manage ng aming pera sa asosasyon. Itong training ay isa pong daan para mapalago at maiayos pa lalo ang financial aspect ng aming asosasyon,” said Ms. Florencia Galinato, FA President of Galilee Rural Improvement Club (RIC).

(This training really helped us, especially us, the officers of the association. Our knowledge has greatly increased, especially in managing our association’s finances. This training is a pathway to further develop and improve the financial aspect of our association.) 

SAAD SOCCKSARGEN will conduct training on meat processing, covering two (2) FAs in Sarangani Province in the 3rd quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, the SAAD program, in collaboration with MAED, has committed to offer technical support to further guide the association members with packaging and labeling of their products.### 

Writer: Jericho Jhon F.  Palawan, DA-SAAD Region 12 Information Officer
Sources: John B. Pascual, DA-SAAD 12 Regional Focal Person, Engr. Julie Mie Y. Belongan DA-SAAD 12 Regional OPBME Head, Justin G. Aquino DA-SAAD 12 Information Officer
Credits: Kristine E. Benitez DA-SAAD 12 Associate Project Officer, Naire Junas Demello, and Mark Rey Ante DA-SAAD 12 Associate Project Officers