October 8, 2024 - Banton, Romblon – Romblon State University (RSU), in collaboration with the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2, spearheaded a Capability-Building Training on Organizational Management for the Toctoc Organic Farmers Association (TOFA) on October 8, 2024. Held at the Toctoc Barangay Hall, the event brought together 28 TOFA members, aiming to strengthen their organizational capacities and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

The training featured RSU’s experts, Mr. Alexander A. Mangoba and Dr. Marife M. Garcia, from the College of Business and Accountancy. The sessions focused on organizational and strategic development, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to enhance their association’s performance.

Mr. Mangoba highlighted the influence of external factors such as family, education, relationships, media, and technology on organizational success. He emphasized the value of core principles like unity, diligence, perseverance, and a shared organizational culture in fostering growth.

Meanwhile, Dr. Garcia conducted a session on Strategic Planning, guiding participants through identifying production challenges and devising effective solutions. Her interactive approach encouraged members to actively analyze their operations and develop actionable plans for improvement.

Participants expressed their appreciation for the training, with Ms. Denly Falcatan, TOFA president, sharing, “The discussions were enlightening, helping us pinpoint our strengths and areas for improvement, and uniting us toward achieving our goals.”

The initiative was facilitated by SAAD MIMAROPA staff, including Mr. Ian Von Yadao, Mr. Jercel Catubig, and Mr. Reymond Ilao, with support from Ms. Charton Sombria of RSU. The Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Banton also contributed significantly to the event’s success.

This training underscores RSU’s commitment to community engagement and its vital role in empowering local farmers. By fostering sustainable organizational practices, RSU and its partners aim to advance agricultural development and improve the livelihoods of farming communities in the region.

Source/Credits: RSU - ESCEO