The Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga’s assistance does not only stop to production support for farmers. The agency also lingersto promote agricultural development by providing the policy framework, public investment, and support needed for domestic and export-oriented business enterprises.
To heap on the promotion of agriculture enterprise, DA in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation, Inc. – Go Negosyo (PCE-Go Negosyo) gears up farmers to become agripreneurs by launching the Kapatid Agri- Mentor Me Program (KAMMP) in Butuan City recently.
KAMMP a coaching and mentoring program for agriculture enterprise tosustain and scale up the farming business of farmers.
In the region, a total of 53 mentees will undergo in KAMMP.They will be mentored by agri-business practitioners with an extensive knowledge in their field. The program is designed to equip agripreneurs with proper production techniques, mindset and values, practical knowledge and strategies, and consultation services to foster successful and sustainable agri-enterprises.
Agripreneurs is a term used for the new breed of entrepreneurs combining their love of farming and agriculture with business.
Since 2008 up to present the department continues to assist and monitor 31 operational Barangay Food Terminals (BFT), 11 Municipal Food Terminals (MFT), 2 Organic Agriculture Trading Post (OATP), 1 Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (APTC), and 4 Rice Processing Centers (RPC) throughout the region. These 49 business hubs have been operated by farmer associations and cooperatives supported by the office.
DA supports the advocacy of PCE-Go Negosyo in popularizing entrepreneurship as an alternative to unemployment and job-seeking. Both parties aim to develop a business-minded culture that would lead to an entrepreneurial nation that will eventually improve the nation’s economy.
“DA through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) has been providing marketing assistance and linkages to our partners – the farmers.Our partnership with PCE-Go Negosyo thru KAMMP is another outlet to encourage our farmers to engage in entrepreneurial activities that could help to increase their income. It is also our way to promote agriculture as a viable economic activity,” said Lynn A. Pareñas, Chief AMAD.
Farming and its related activities make up the basic fabric of rural life, thus this significantly contributes to the Caraga region’s employment and business opportunities.
