Some Some 13 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Bohol attended a five-day training-workshop on the crafting of business plan and cluster development plan, through the Department of Agriculture-Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (DA-F2C2) held on May 20-24, 2024 at a venue in Tagbilaran City.

The training–workshop was the second phase training given to these identified clustered FCAs, who were identified and endorsed by thevarious banner programs of DA7 to the F2C2.

These clustered FCAs were the GABIBU, Ubay-Malingin Irrigators Association (IA) Inc., Tugas-Candijay IA, Bohol Bagasico IA Inc., Basacan, Bayanihan Multi-purpose Cooperative (MPC), Cantubod Farmers Association, Matin-ao Vegetable Growers Organization, Garcia-Hernandez Farmers Organization (GHFO), Vallehermoso Vegetable Growers Association (VVGA), La Suerte Organic Vegetable Growers Association (LASOVEGA), Kapunungan sa Bol-anong Organikong Mag-uuma (KBOOM), Mantacida United Farmers MPC, and La Victoria Farmers MPC.

In the training, participants underwent business plan preparation, market analysis, supply and demand gap identification, operational and financial plan, and the economic impact, sustainability measures and mechanism of their chosen agri-enterprise.

Included also in the training was a topic on Gender and Development (GAD) concepts which needed to be mainstreamed, not only in offices but also in the associations, looking into the equal opportunities between men, women and any gender preferences.

The output of the FCAs which are the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and CDP will serve as basis in the crafting of a five year plan leading towards sustainable and progressive business enterprise.

Aside from the FCAs, other participants of the training were the agricultural technicians and representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of the different participating municipality.