BALER, Aurora (PIA) — Farmers in Aurora are taking a leap from traditional farming into sustainable businesses as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) rolls out its Farm Business School, which teaches both farming techniques and business management.
A total of 30 agrarian reform beneficiaries from the Samahan ng mga Settlers ng San Luis, Aurora, Inc. are undergoing 17 learning sessions designed to increase productivity, develop market-ready products, and grow income.
DAR Aurora Agrarian Reform Program Officer Ferdinand Poblete said the program guides participants into agricultural entrepreneurship, taking them from producing raw materials to developing value-added products and strengthening their role in the local supply chain.
“The program builds farmers’ capacity to form structured groups, enter marketing agreements, and gain access to institutional buyers, supporting long-term competitiveness and economic resilience,” he added.
Among the sessions is cluster formation, a key strategy that organizes small-scale farmers into cooperative business units capable of meeting market demand, maintaining steady supply, and negotiating better with buyers.
The participants are currently in their fourth session and are set to graduate on June 13, 2026.
Poblete shared that DAR plans to expand the program to equip more farmer organizations with the skills to operate sustainably and contribute to Aurora’s agricultural development.
The agency continues to provide agrarian reform beneficiaries in Aurora with understanding of cooperative principles, governance, and the roles and responsibilities of members.
Through the initiative, DAR aims to cultivate a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs who can strengthen local food security, increase household income, and drive inclusive growth in the province. (CLJD/MJRD, PIA Region 3-Aurora)
