Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) continues to hone farmers' skills by conducting the first-ever Agri-Tech Facilitator Training Program. The training covered the first of three modules for the program which is part of JGF's initiative to help smallholder farmers into agri-tech facilitators who will identify, test, and promote innovations that will improve productivity, profit and sustainability of their agro-enterprises.
The first batch of Agri-Tech Facilitator (ATF) Program was held last October 14-16, 2024 in Pasig City. This Program is part of the continuous capacity-building training provided by JGF to the farmer groups and local implementing partners of its Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP). The first batch of ATF participants were representatives from Ahon sa Hirap Inc. (ASHI), ASHI Grameen Agricultural Program (AGAP), Ayat ti Pasuquin Farmers and Irrigators Association, Kalasag Multipurpose Cooperative, Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Lourdes Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Marcos Village Palayan City Farmers Agri-Farm Corporation, Onion and Vegetables Producers Cooperative, Pagbiagan Multipurpose Cooperative, Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative, Tucop Farmers Association, and Ungab Farmers Association.
"The Agri-Tech Facilitator Program enables JGF to further support the growth of our farmers. By fostering collaboration and encouraging openness to innovative changes, we hope our farmers could thrive better as agro-entrepreneurs and continue to achieve sustainability and success in the long-term," said JGF President Gisela Tiongson.
"Naniniwala ako na ang programa ng ATF ay magkakaroon ng magandang epekto sa mga magsasaka dahil ang agritech ay hindi lamang pamilyar sa mga magsasaka kundi nakatutok din sa bawat isa sa kanila. Dahil napaka-accessible rin nila, hindi na magdadalawang isip ang mga magsasaka tungkol sa pagkonsulta sa kanila, at sa akin, ito ay magreresulta sana na ang program ay maging isang milestone, isa pang trademark ng FEP," said Jude Tria, Board of Directors of the Lourdes Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
JGF, through FEP provides smallholder farmers with training and resources to help sharpen their leadership and technical skills, enabling to supply quality vegetables to institutional markets such as JG. To date, there are 19 FEP farmer groups who regularly deliver to the company.
Following the completion of the first module, the participants will proceed to the next two modules which will be conducted in 2025. Part of the two other modules is the practicum participation of the attendees.
The next training is on January next year and will held at the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan.
"Mahalaga po itong training na ito dahil dito po nagmumula ang mga bagong kaalaman sa teknolohiya, at iba pa pong kasanayan, na siya ko rin pong ituturo sa aking mga kapwa magsasaka," said Jeffrey Velasquez, Cluster Leader at Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative Association.
"Kailangan ko pong maituro sa aming members ang kahalagahan ng ganitong trainings upang ma-adopt din po nila yong practices at patuloy na makapag-supply sa mga institutional market. Importante po talaga na magpaliwanag sa mga farmer at pakinggan ang needs nila," said Larena Nicolas, President of the Marcos Village Palayan City Farmers Agri-Farm Corporation.
JGF is looking forward to seeing how the new Agri-Tech Facilitators will implement these agri-extension approaches and methods in their own farming communities, further uplifting the livelihood of smallholder farmers in the country.
0 comments:
Post a Comment