Salamin MPC, BJMP Renew Marketing Pact to Boost Farmers’ Income and Jail Nutrition

Tuguegarao, Cagayan, March 4, 2026 -In a move that underscores the growing impact of institutional market linkages on rural livelihoods, the Salamin Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC), an agrarian reform beneficiary organization based in Tuao, has renewed its marketing agreement with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) under the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) program.

The renewed agreement continues a collaborative effort since 2021, in which Salamin MPC supplies fresh vegetables and other farm produce directly to the BJMP-Tuao District Jail, helping ensure consistent, locally sourced nutrition for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) while providing a reliable market for farmers’ goods. This arrangement falls under the PAHP initiative, a government-backed partnership that seeks to combat hunger, alleviate poverty, and enhance food security by linking agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) with institutional buyers such as BJMP facilities.

Officials from both Salamin MPC and the BJMP, along with representatives of the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Cagayan, witnessed the signing ceremony, reaffirming their shared commitment to sustainable rural development. DARPO-Cagayan officials were happy to note and emphasized the importance of the Farm Business School training they underwent—an initiative supported by DAR,  DA, and partner agencies/LGUs - helped members improve production, marketing, and business management skills, which in turn strengthened their ability to meet institutional supply demands.

Under the PAHP marketing agreement framework, cooperatives like Salamin MPC are recognized as institutional partners in addressing both economic and food security challenges: farmers gain stable income through assured purchases, and correctional facilities receive quality, nutritious agricultural products for feeding programs.

DAR officials noted that such agreements are part of a broader strategy to deepen market access for ARBOs through government procurement channels, aligning with national development goals to uplift agrarian communities and build resilient agricultural enterprises.

By renewing this marketing pact, Salamin MPC and BJMP continue to model how public sector partnerships can empower rural cooperatives, support local agriculture, and improve welfare outcomes for both producer communities and those in institutional care.

DARPO-Cagayan launches two eFBS sites

The Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Cagayan-Batanes has launched another two (2) new sites for the enhanced Farm Business School (eFBS) program to equip agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Amulung, Cagayan and Gattaran, Cagayan with entrepreneurial skills and knowledge in farm management, marketing, costing, and basic accounting, aiming to boost their income and contribute to agricultural sustainability. 

The Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) enhanced Farm Business School (eFBS) has made a significant impact on agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and rural farming communities by transforming traditional subsistence farming into sustainable agribusiness ventures. Here are some key ways the FBS has contributed to the development of the agricultural sector:

1. Economic Empowerment of Farmers

The FBS program teaches ARBs how to manage their farms as businesses, enabling them to maximize profits and reduce losses. By applying financial management and marketing strategies, many farmers have transitioned from being mere producers to agripreneurs who actively engage in the agricultural value chain.

• Higher Income Generation: Graduates of the program have reported increased earnings due to improved farm productivity and better pricing strategies.

• Job Creation: With better farm management, some ARBs have expanded their operations, creating employment opportunities within their communities.

2. Improved Agricultural Practices

Through FBS training, farmers gain technical knowledge in modern farming techniques, proper record-keeping, and sustainable agricultural practices. These innovations lead to higher yields, better-quality crops, and more efficient farm management. 

3. Strengthening Farmers' Organizations

The FBS encourages farmers to collaborate and form cooperatives, which gives them better leverage in the market. Collective farming, bulk purchasing, and group marketing strategies have made it easier for smallholder farmers to negotiate with buyers, suppliers, and financial institutions.

4. Enhanced Market Access

Before undergoing FBS training, many ARBs struggled to find stable markets for their produce. The program equips them with market analysis skills, negotiation techniques, and product branding knowledge, allowing them to sell directly to consumers, supermarkets, and institutional buyers.

• Linkages with Agribusiness Enterprises: Some farmer groups have successfully secured contracts with local businesses, ensuring a steady demand for their crops.

5. Sustainability and Food Security

By teaching financial literacy, risk management, and diversification strategies, FBS helps farmers prepare for market fluctuations and climate-related risks. This resilience ensures consistent food production, contributing to both local and national food security.

Difference between the FBS and the eFBS: 

The Farm Business School (FBS) and the Enhanced Farm Business School (EFBS) programs of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) both aim to improve the entrepreneurial skills of farmers. However, there are key differences between the two:

1. Farm Business School (FBS)

• Traditional Approach: The FBS is a training program designed to help farmers develop business skills to manage their farms as enterprises.

• Focus: It emphasizes basic farm business management, such as planning, production, marketing, and financial literacy.

• Implementation: Conducted in agrarian reform communities (ARCs), teaching farmers how to increase farm productivity and income through structured training sessions.

• Target Audience: Smallholder farmers, agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), and rural communities.

2. Enhanced Farm Business School (EFBS)

• Expanded & Upgraded Version: The EFBS builds on the foundation of FBS but includes enhanced learning modules and digital tools for better farm business management.

• Focus: Aside from basic business skills, it includes advanced topics such as value-adding, digital marketing, climate-smart agriculture, and agripreneurship.

• Implementation: Uses interactive methods like experiential learning, market linkages, and more comprehensive mentorship programs.

• Integration with Technology: EFBS integrates modern farming technologies, e-commerce, and agribusiness innovations to help farmers adapt to changing agricultural trends.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Farm Business School (FBS)	Enhanced Farm Business School (EFBS)
Scope	Basic farm business management	Advanced farm business & agripreneurship
Focus	Traditional farm-to-market approach	Digital marketing, value-adding, & modern techniques
Training Method	Standard classroom-based learning	Interactive, hands-on, and technology-driven
Technology Use	Minimal	Incorporates e-commerce, ICT, & digital tools
Market Linkages	Basic	Expanded to broader markets (e.g., online selling)

Which is Better?

• If a farmer needs foundational knowledge in business planning and farm management, FBS is a good starting point.

• If a farmer wants to scale up their agribusiness, use digital tools, and explore wider markets, the EFBS is more beneficial.

The DAR’s enhanced Farm Business School has become a game-changer for Filipino farmers by shifting their mindset from traditional farming to agribusiness entrepreneurship. With its continued implementation, the program holds the potential to further uplift rural communities, reduce poverty, and enhance the agricultural sector’s overall competitiveness.                  Photos: Rosemarie Cardona