MIMAROPA, November 8, 2023 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) MIMAROPA Region wrapped up conduct of Capability-Building Training on Organizational Management for all farmers’ associations (FAs) under Phase 2 pilot year implementation, after the last batch session for 21 FAs in the three (3) SAAD-covered provinces in the region.

The last batch of the CBT in the region included 21 FAs with 485 members. These associations were  from Looc, Occidental Mindoro (2); Agutaya (4) and Magsaysay (4), Palawan; and Calatrava (2), Santa Maria (3), San Jose (3), and Concepcion (3), Romblon.

As of November, the target of 43 FAs to be provided with essential skills in organizational management to enhance their capacity to handle agricultural projects was accomplished. The farmers gained a deeper understanding of their roles within the association and developed skills such as leadership, communication, decision-making, and financial management that could contribute to the overall success and sustainability of the group. The emphasis on values formation during the CBT underscores its role in shaping the way these groups function, fostering a sense of unity and purpose.

The conduct of CBTs were spearheaded by Ms. Marissa DV Vargas, Head of the Regional Program Management Support Office (RPMSO) Operational Planning Budget, Monitoring, and Evaluation (OPBME) while the Resource Speakers  were staff from the DA Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) MIMAROPA Research Division; Allan Lalap, Senior Science Research Specialist; Je Precious Tarog, Technical Staff; Marieta Alvis-Sietas, Head of the Institutional Development Unit (IDU), and Rico Mangubat, IDU Technical Staff.

Following the completion of the CBT, SAAD MIMAROPA proceeded with a series of specialized training to equip the associations with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their livelihood projects. Out of the 43 associations, three (3) will receive Coconut Production Intercropping with Fruit Trees and Other Planting Materials Project; seven (7) will receive projects related to rice production, one (1) for swine production; nine (9) for poultry production; 10 for vegetable farming; six (6) for livestock production; four (4) for corn production; one (1) for cashew processing; and two (2) for root crops production. ###

Writer: Melissa F. Lingco, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Information Officer
Sources: DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Associate Project Officers and Community Development Officers