PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija — The Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Luzon held the Training on Farm Financial Basics: Bookkeeping and Credit Management at the Farm Ridge by Desmond Farm.

The five-day training on financial literacy was held from 19 to 23 May.

The activity was led by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 3 under the Rice Banner Program.

The activity aims to broaden the knowledge of the participants in proper financial management in agriculture, creating business opportunities, and availing of credits.

A total of 60 farmers from farmers cooperatives and associations, as well as agricultural extension workers from the province of Nueva Ecija, took part in the activity. 

Module 1 was discussed on the first day, focused on Entrepreneurial Mind Setting. Included in the topics are Values Reorientation and the aspects of an effective agripreneur. 

For the second date, the participants were trained on how to avail accreditation from the Civil Society Organizations and the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. Also included in the Module are the primary concepts of agribusiness, tulad ng agribusiness cycle, planning, and evaluation of the capacity of the business to earn using concepts such as breakeven yield, prices, and costing.

On the third day, the participants were told about the various credit programs for agriculture. Part of the session is the creation of a business plan that is deemed important in developing businesses.

During the fourth day, module 3 focused on marketing, including 4Ps marketing, evaluation of market, marketing strategies, and the use of e-marketing and direct selling. 

Also discussed were the standard concepts of Gender and Development, Soil Health Restoration, and the importance of Good Agricultural Practices. 

For module 5, the participants were trained in creating an effective financial plan.

The said training is part of the DA’s thrust to strengthen the capabilities of the farmers in funding, increasing earnings, and development of livelihood through agriculture.