ZARAGOZA, Nueva Ecija (PIA) — Agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) are set to strengthen their organizational and entrepreneurial capacities through the Farm Business School recently launched by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Nueva Ecija in Barangay Sta. Lucia Old, Zaragoza.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed by DAR with the local government unit (LGU) of Zaragoza and Zaralica Agriculture Cooperative to formalize their joint commitment to the program.
These efforts aim to provide ARBO members’ hands-on training in farm management, financial literacy, and enterprise development for better productivity and group progress.
DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Eden Ponio said strengthening ARBOs remains a key strategy of the agency in achieving sustainable agrarian development.
She added that well-managed and empowered organizations are important in creating more economic opportunities for agrarian reform beneficiaries.
For her part, Zaragoza Mayor Lovella Belmonte-Espiritu conveyed the LGU’s support for the initiative, noting its importance in enhancing the capacities of local ARBOs.
Cooperative Chairperson Ricky Gaitan, meanwhile, expressed support for the program, saying they are committed to actively participate and see it as an opportunity to strengthen their organization and improve members’ livelihoods.
According to DAR, the initiative forms part of its continuing efforts to develop resilient and market-oriented ARBOs through partnerships and capacity-building interventions. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
