More farmers in the regions are fast developing their entrepreneurial mentality as they become more adept in agribusiness, building partnerships, and supporting the DA-PhilRice RiceBIS program.
RiceBIS aims to improve the competitiveness of rice and rice-based farming communities in provinces by addressing farmers’ need for resilient, cost-effective and sustainable production, processing and marketing at affordable price.
In Masbate, 150 farmers from Milagros and Mandaon municipalities trained in Agroenterprise Development from June 1 to 10 and produced a feasibility business plan as their final output.
Resource persons from DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, DA-Regional Field Office V, DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), National Irrigation Administration, Credit Cooperative Authority, Landbank, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, DA-PHilMech, Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT), Op-Ag Masbate, and local government units of Milagros and Mandaon conducted the training.
Meanwhile, 10 farmer cooperatives and associations from Alfonso Lista, Ifugao signed a Memorandum of Agreement in a move to support the RiceBIS Phase II project, sustain the province’s rice productivity, and strengthen their competitiveness in rice farming, product development and partnership-building.
Officials from Alfonso Lista, DA Regional Field Office, DA-ATI, DA-DAR Cordillera Administrative Region, DTI, TESDA, and Ifugao State University witnessed the MOA signing.
Earlier, Agusan stakeholders expressed support for the full implementation and transformation of RiceBIS as a holistic program. Branch Director Dr. Caesar Joventino M. Tado and RiceBIS Agusan focal person Sharen T. Rivas met with stakeholders during an onsite and virtual meeting on May 27.
Present in the meeting were CSU Program Coordinator Dr. Rosalinda Sagocsoc, DA-Caraga Regional Seed Coordinator Noli Orog, ATI Training Specialist Violeta Laguna, DTI Provincial Director Brenda Corvera, OIC-Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Aclan, Provincial Rice Coordinator Rodolfo Nalla, LGU-CAO Juvy Pao, Senior Irrigation Development Officer Lourdes B. Dangga, City Agriculture and Fisheries Council Chairperson Dante T. Delagente, Cabadbaran City Agriculturist Ma. Arcelli C. Soria, CDA-Caraga Cooperative Development Specialist II, and Agusan Branch R&D Coordinator Dr. Genevive A. Nemeño.
