Project Silk 2018: Business Training for Local Farmers

The Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Cooperative (MARBFC) dreams of big things for their organization. They envision themselves to be a strong and viable cooperative that uplifts their members through more jobs, opportunities for growth, and sustainability programs. With the help of Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation, this is only the beginning for the MARBFC.

Started with 15 small local corn farmers, MARBFC now has over 300 members. More than their membership rate going up, the MARBFC now also supplies corn for our plant in Iligan City. With things all well and good in the MARBFC, the next challenge for the co-op is to learn how to sustain momentum and grow even larger.

Enter Project Silk, a three-part training program held throughout October by Pilmico for the MARBFC to further their flourishing business. The project aims to improve and develop the co-op’s financial, entrepreneurial, and managerial competencies for the betterment of their business. Project Silk is divided into three legs, each done weekly with an industry expert to educate them and all with a goal to contribute to the farmers’ growth as entrepreneurs.

The first leg on Financial Management was led in partnership with the Cooperative Development Authority of Region 10 with Cooperative Development Officer, Joselito Hallazgo. This was followed by a training held by David Normor, an educator from San Isidro College City of Malaybalay on Business Management and Marketing and Alexander Solano from People Management Association of the Philippines on Entrepreneurship. Joselito Hallazgo returns for the final leg of Project Silk with an informative training on Records Management. Throughout the training program, members of the MARBFC got the chance to explore new ideas for business ventures and formulate business plans for these opportunities. Some of the business plans included expanding into farm capital, vulcanizing, cassava chips production, and even being an agri-supply center.

“Very good. Sobra ang kaalaman na aming natutunan lalo na sa accounting, bookkeeping, financial statement and budgeting.” – Evangeline P. Frasco, MARBFC Manager

“Even in a short period, this helped a lot in terms of financial literacy. Most especially for the members who holds a position in the cooperative. In my case, who knows, in the right time this assignment will be given to me. At least, I already know what to do.” – Eufronia C. Pancrudo, MARBFC Member

We’ve become Partners for Growth with local farmer not just by supporting their produce but also through providing them with the right tools and knowledge to help them sustain their livelihood. Through Project Silk, Pilmico fulfills the Aboitiz Group vision of advancing business and communities by creating opportunities for Partners to build their capacity and skill for business.