Problems in farmers’ organizations often surface after projects are in place when leadership roles are unclear, communication breaks down, or conflicts go unresolved.
Resolving those issues were the focus of a four-day Training of Trainers conducted by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2, which brought together implementers and local agricultural extension workers to strengthen facilitation, leadership and organizational planning among farmer groups.
The training, held last Jan. 27–30 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, gathered 34 participants: 22 personnel from DA-SAAD’s Regional Program Management Support Office and 12 agricultural extension workers from SAAD-covered municipalities in Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.
Provincial Agricultural Coordinators Desiree Arriola of Zamboanga Sibugay and George Vallente of Zamboanga del Norte, along with Field Operations Division Chief Hannibal P. Bayo-ang, also attended.
Facilitated by educator and community development consultant Raymond Christ P. Maribojoc, the sessions focused on practical skills: conflict management, team building, communication, facilitation, and setting vision, mission, and goals. Participants also covered organizational planning, leadership, and strategies for sustaining farmer groups beyond project support.
For Tasmera L. Cambia, an extension worker from Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte, learning to handle disagreements was the most valuable part.
“Sa among association, usahay mag-away ang mga myembro tungod sa sayop nga pagsabot sa responsibilities,” Cambia said. “Karong kabalo na mi unsaon pag-handle sa disagreements ug pag-facilitate og open discussion, mas dali na namo masulbad ang problema.”
(In our association, members sometimes argue because of misunderstandings about responsibilities. Now that we know how to handle disagreements and facilitate open discussions, problems are easier to resolve.)
In his closing remarks, APCO George Vallente emphasized that strategic planning is more than a paper exercise.
“Ang strategic planning dili lang plano sa papel,” he said. “Kini mao ang giya sa organisasyon para klaro ang direksyon ug lig-on ang desisyon.”
(Strategic planning is not just a plan on paper. It serves as a guide for the organization to ensure clear direction and sound decisions.)
The training reflected a broader focus of SAAD Phase 2: building the capacity of local implementers and extension workers so farmers’ organizations can endure after project support ends.
By equipping staff with facilitation and leadership skills, the program aims to strengthen governance, promote self-reliance among farmers, and ensure that agricultural communities can remain productive and resilient over the long term. ###
