More farmers graduate from DAR-sponsored biz school

The FBS program is a unique educational system designed to help farmers learn and improve their knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship and farm business management. (Pexels Photo)

MANILA — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-sponsored Farm Business School (FBS) program has produced 31 more certified farmer entrepreneurs.

In a statement on Tuesday, DAR spokesperson, Cleon Lester Chavez, said the new batch graduated in the program last November 11.

“The course offered dual training on high-value crops farming and business management to enable students to manage their agri-business enterprises,” Chavez said.

The FBS program is a unique educational system designed to help farmers learn and improve their knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship and farm business management.

Aside from providing certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) to applicants, DAR said it also prioritizes on further empowering farmers through incorporating business in their system.

“The missing link for farmers to success lies in marketing their produce,” Agriculture Undersecretary Cheryl Natividad-Caballero said in a separate interview.

The DA also holds FBS through its Agriculture Training Institute in Diliman, Quezon City, which has also been slowly implemented nationwide to cater to more farmers.

The graduates are members of the Pide Aguid Fedilisan Multi-purpose cooperative, Aguid Gardeners Organization, O-ong Producers Association, and Guesang Farmers Organization, Inc.

, all from Sagada, Mountain Province.

In the statement, provincial agrarian reform program officer Adela Damaso challenged them to apply their new learning and ensure the success of their respective businesses.

Hands-on tutoring on basic farm recording, bookkeeping, and accounting courses were taught, as well as new farming techniques, starting from land preparation and planting to harvesting and marketing.

Damaso said recording farm inputs and outputs, expenses and sales would help farmers realize that farming is not only about producing but a complete business enterprise, adding that they “need to be responsible in minimizing wastage while ensuring a good harvest.”

“We are very lucky as recipients of the DAR’s Farm Business School because we were taught on the preparation of a farm business plan that serves as our guide in farming,” said Sheila Patong, one of the graduates.

Patong added that farmers in their community used to sell their harvests without knowing if they gained or lost.

“Now we know what to do. Thanks to DAR,” she added.