Agri-10 Agribiz capacitates MisOr, Buk’non FCAs on agripreneurship

 

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), conducted a capability building on agribusiness viability and financial preparedness to farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) as potential beneficiaries of the Agri-Entrepreneurship Capability Enhancement Assistance (AECEA) program, on November 22, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), in Dalwangan, here.

Per Republic Act No. 11321, otherwise known as Sagip Saka Act, the DA is directed to strengthen its farmers and fisherfolk enterprise development program (FFEDP) to achieve sustainable modern agriculture and food security.

Pursuant to its mandate, the agency aims to provide a comprehensive package of support to help FCAs become viable business partners with agro-industry players, improve their business acumen, and strengthen agri-fishery enterprise development services.

In his opening remarks, AMAD assistant chief, Ferdinand F. Caraballe, emphasized that the DA-AMAD 10 is committed in equipping FCAs with the knowledge and skills needed for their enterprise success through topics such as SWOT analysis, digital agriculture, and strategies to enhance entrepreneurial skills.

On working smart by maximizing the use of technology, DA-10 Information Technology Consultant, Noel M. Degamo, tackled DA-10’s web-based information system, a platform that facilitates the monitoring of crops grow and its planting and harvesting schedule, potential market tie-ups, and requests for interventions and support from the DA.

For his part, Caraballe also underscored to the FCAs to treat any government support from the DA as business opportunities, noting that every time they earn, they accumulate savings.

Overall, participants engaged in focused group discussions, drafting of business proposals, and consultation of their proposed enterprises.

Key officers and members of the FCAs, namely: BALUGTO “Hope” Agroforestry Association, Inc., Pag-ugmad sa Kaugmaon Agriculture Cooperative, and Cogon Gardeners Association (COGARAS) were in attendance.

Further, they underwent enterprise profiling and assessment and are halfway through their Civil Society Organization (CSO) accreditation, a key evaluation requirement for cooperatives and associations seeking financial grant assistance and other forms of support from the DA.# (MAC)