NIA-EAAIS trains irrigators’ associations in marketing for sustainable livelihoods
The National Irrigation Administration–East Apayao-Abulug Irrigation System (NIA-EAAIS) conducted a marketing strategies training on Nov. 5 at the NIA Conference Hall in Matucay, Allacapan, Cagayan, to help irrigators' association (IA) cooperatives strengthen their livelihood enterprises.
The training was led by NIA-EAAIS Principal Engineer A Engr. Dante S. Salazar, with Hipolito G. Arquero, farm supervisor of the Local Government Unit of Allacapan, serving as the learning service provider.
Arquero shared practical guidance on developing effective marketing strategies to help the cooperatives improve their business operations.
Participants included IAs with established cooperatives serving as their business arms, as well as associations managing livelihood projects.
The session emphasized that producing goods alone is not enough to sustain an enterprise, highlighting the need for effective marketing strategies to reach customers and ensure business viability.
Topics covered included identifying market opportunities, understanding consumer needs, promoting products, establishing market linkages, and developing pricing and sales strategies.
NIA-EAAIS said these skills could help IA cooperatives expand their market reach, increase sales and profitability, and sustain their operations.
The agency added that stronger livelihood enterprises can promote collective entrepreneurship, improve the financial capacity of IAs, and generate additional income opportunities for farmers and their communities.
The initiative forms part of NIA-EAAIS' efforts to develop productive, business-oriented, and financially sustainable irrigators' associations.