(Dagupan City, Pangasinan) – Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in Partnership with the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) successfully conducted the eight (8) batches of training workshops among FCAs in the region.

Over 150 farmer-cooperative and association (FCA) operators attended the training, which equipped them how to have an entrepreneurial mindset, record financial transactions, prepare cash flow, and create financial reports. Besides which, the participants completed training in basic bookkeeping and how to use the Farm Machinery Utilization Record Book in order to maintain the operation of the PHilMech-provided equipment and keep accurate records.

The said training is also being conducted to: (1) improve Farmers, Cooperatives, and Associations’ (FCAs’) capability to operate and manage the Farm Machinery Service Provider (FMSP) as a sustainable agricultural business enterprise; (2) instill cooperative awareness among FCA recipients, including its value and merit in the sound operation of an agricultural business enterprise; and (3) equip FCA officers and members with the fundamental values and skills required to operate an agricultural business enterprise.

Former CDA Acting Regional Director Alberto A. Sabarias and newly installed Regional Director Atty. Frederick Joe N. Robles were the driving forces behind the aforementioned activity.

The Training Management Team, which is led by Ms. Jacqueline L. De Leon, CPDAS and Mr. Van Ian F. Enriquez, CRITS, as well as resource speakers from CDA Region I, facilitated the activity. They discussed about the four modules of the training, which covered the topics of (1) Introduction to Concepts of Entrepreneurship and Successful Enterprise, (2) Cooperativism and Values, (3) Introduction to Bookkeeping, and (4) Roles of FCAs in Attaining the Goals of Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) -Mechanization Program & In Sustaining the Farm Machinery Service Provider. (CDA)