ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA, October 24, 2023 – In-service training of program implementers in conducting capacity-building activities to farmers is essential in implementing rural development projects more efficiently. With this, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Region 9 trained its 28 staff in community organizing, entrepreneurial mind-setting, and values formation to develop and strengthen their skills to better face responsibilities in policy and decision-making in conjunction with the mobilization and participation of the local farmers.

The three-day training of trainers (ToT) from October 10-12, 2023 was attended by the SAAD Sub-Units staff from Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED), Social Preparation and Program Management (SPPM), Food Production and Livelihood (FPL), and officers from the Public Relations and Development Communication (PRDC), Administrative and Procurement, and Information Technology and Database Development (IDD) Units.

Mr. Oscar Victor D. Buot, former training specialist on various capability development activities from the Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) in Region 9 and now a consultant, served as the resource speaker for the activity.

Mr. Buot stressed the significance of community organizing, focusing on engaging and mobilizing the local agricultural projects while addressing their needs and aspirations. He also outlined key steps for successful community organizing, such as community assessment, outreach, goal clarification, strategic planning, leadership development, and mobilization. 

Meanwhile, topics on entrepreneurial mind-setting include personal entrepreneurial mindset characteristics and the habits of successful entrepreneurs. This approach will empower SAAD development workers to inspire farmers in the field to view farming as an agribusiness venture rather than growing crops just for home consumption. This shift in perspective will build resilience and foster long-term sustainability of the agri-livelihood projects.

Lastly, values formation holds importance to the farmers by enabling them to comprehend and appreciate the significance of respect, honesty, responsibility, and other moral and ethical values as a strong foundation of trust among the members of a farmers association. This will also guide them in decision-making that will contribute to the overall success of the group. 

Ms. Desiree Arriola, Zamboanga Sibugay Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) said the training is beneficial to both the SAAD development workers and the beneficiaries as actors on the ground.

“Importante gyud ni sa inyo ang training para mas mahatagan nato og kalidad nga serbisyo, sakto nga kaalam ug mas epektibo nga pag implementar sa programa ngadto sa atong mga mag-uuma,” said Ms. Arriola. 

(The training is really important to you so that we can provide better quality service, right information, and more effective program implementation to our farmers. 

Following the ToT, development workers of SAAD Zamboanga Peninsula will lead a series of capability development trainings to 525 beneficiaries from 20 municipalities in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay provinces from November 8 to 29, 2023 to properly guide beneficiaries in managing livelihood projects and in building people-centered local economic development through establishment of community-based enterprises. ###

Writer: Aimee Lou D. Madjus, DA-SAAD Region 9 Information Officer