The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Occidental-North has partnered with the Municipal Government of Calatrava and an agrarian reform beneficiaries organization (Arbo) for a farm business school project at Barangay Dolis of the said locality.
The program, which was launched on Thursday, May 31, aims to capacitate participants in developing sustainable enterprises and enhance the competitiveness of their produce in the market.
Under which, the agency will conduct a series of 25 sessions of multi-level training program for about 35 farmer-members of Dolis Agrarian Reform Cooperative, the recipient organization.
The training is mainly positioned to promote and accelerate rural development, DAR-Negros Occidental I, in a press statement, said.
The local government, on the other hand, will provide technical and marketing support through coaching, mentoring and provision of vegetable seedlings and other farm inputs.
Benchmarking, market surveys and market matching with prospect buyers will be conducted by the farmers, it added.
Everelle Caballero, representing the Municipal Government of Calatrava, said the local government will work hand-in-hand with the DAR and Arbo for the successful implementation of the project.
Caballero said the project is hoped to solve the pressing challenges in the production of farmers and boost their income.
“From producing more before, they will now be taught on how to effectively market their products,” she added.
Attending the launching, meanwhile, are DAR officials and personnel led by Provincial Officer-In-Charge Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Rizalina Yuguing, Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Julieta Mangao, and members of the recipient-Arbo, among others. (Erwin P. Nicavera)