QUEZON CITY -- Thirty-five (35) agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) are now equipped with agri-entrepreneurial skills after graduating from the Farm Business School (FBS) program implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Brgy. Tinongcop, Tantangan, South Cotabato.

The farmers were taught market surveying, accounting, farm budget planning, benchmarking, and market matching in the 25-session under the FBS program.

DAR Regional Director Marion Abella said the farmers were also taught the scientific way of farming which starts from land preparation, planting up to harvesting.

“I am excited for the things that will come your way. With all your learnings from the FBS program, I am positive that your farm yield and income will increase,” said Abella to the 35 graduates.

The FBS was launched in South Cotabato last 2020, but due to the pandemic, the FBS class was disrupted and temporarily stopped. The classes only resumed this year until the entire 25 sessions were fully covered.

Roldan A. Ali, DAR- SOCCSKSARGEN Assistant Regional Director for Admin encouraged the graduates to use their acquired knowledge to make their farms productive and their agri-ventures profitable.

“Be like a broom that works together and is unbreakable” he said.

At the graduation rites, each graduate received an e-knapsack sprayer and lagaraw (scythe).

The Tinongcop Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TARBMPC), where all the graduates are members, also received one hand tractor, two units hand tractor with harrow and diesel engine, 10 sacks of rice seeds, and 16 sacks of fertilizers.

These farm implements and inputs will be used for the establishment of a 1-hectare demo farm as part of the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) with a total cost of P250,000.00.

Ma. Theresa Laxamana, FBS Focal Person congratulated the graduates and commended the hard work and perseverance of the FBS participants in attending the weekly sessions. She also reiterated that their plans should be turned into actions.

“Despite the risk and difficulty in implementing the project, both the facilitators and FBS participants took the courage to rise and pursue the project. Indeed, perseverance and unity always lead to success,” said Laxamana.

Zhara Libalib, an FBS graduate, expressed her gratitude for all the support they have received from the government. She promised to apply her learnings to her own farm.

The FBS program is a unique educational system designed by the DAR and the Agricultural Training Institute of the Department of Agriculture to help farmers learn and improve their knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship and farm business management established.  (DAR)