The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is cultivating the future of farming in Guinaang, Apayao — a well-known vegetable-producing community — as 32 farmers completed the Farm Business School (FBS) program.

The graduates, all members of the Guinaang Community Development Agriculture Cooperative (GUICOMDA), are now equipped not only as food producers but also as farmer-entrepreneurs ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of agribusiness.

The FBS program, consisting of 17 intensive sessions, trains farmers in business planning, cost efficiency, record-keeping, and digital marketing — skills essential for transforming farming into a profitable and sustainable enterprise.

GUICOMDA Chairman Romeo Banco praised the graduates’ commitment to collective growth and resilience. “As FBS graduates, we embody sacrifice, love, and perseverance. We must uphold these values as long as we can till the land and cherish what has been given to us. Let us not grow weary of working together and helping one another, because with unity in our group, we will surely move forward,” Banco said.

Meanwhile, Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Juliet Dumapis urged the graduates to view the milestone as a new beginning. “This graduation is not the end but the start of your journey as farmer-entrepreneurs. Stand united and strengthen your organization so that more support and opportunities will come your way,” she said.

For the 32 graduates, the FBS diploma symbolizes more than just training — it marks empowerment and the beginning of a new era for Guinaang’s farming community. With sharpened agribusiness skills, they aim to uphold the town’s legacy as a premier vegetable hub while securing stronger, more sustainable livelihoods for their families and community.