Empowering Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries through Enhanced Farm Business School Program

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has achieved a milestone in empowering agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) through the Enhanced Farm Business School (FBS) program. A total of 180 ARBs have completed the program, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to shift from subsistence farming to profitable business enterprises. The program, implemented in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and local government units, focuses on farm business planning, operations, and marketing, guided by the Agro-Enterprise Development approach. This approach promotes entrepreneurship, strengthens market linkages, and ensures sustainability.

Key Takeaways:

• The Enhanced FBS program trained 180 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in farm business planning, operations, and marketing.
• The program, implemented in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and local government units, focuses on the Agro-Enterprise Development approach, promoting entrepreneurship and sustainability.
• The graduates came from six Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs), with 30 graduates each, located in various municipalities in Sultan Kudarat.
• The program aims to empower ARBs to become competitive players in the modern agricultural economy, capable of meeting market demands, generating higher income, and contributing to their communities' growth.
• The DAR emphasizes that beyond increasing productivity, the Enhanced FBS encourages ARBs to think and act like entrepreneurs, organizing, innovating, and competing confidently in a dynamic agri-market environment.
• The program continues to build stronger, market-oriented agrarian reform communities, empowering farmers to achieve economic independence and rural prosperity.

Statistics:

• 180 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) completed the Enhanced FBS program.
• 30 graduates each came from six Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs): Naldan Creek Irrigators Association - Lambayong, Palavilla Barangay Irrigation Development Association, Inc. - Lutayan, Tuka Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association - Bagumbayan, Tagumpay Vegetable Growers Association - Esperanza, Buklod Bawasa Association - Senator Ninoy Aquino, and SV Farmers Association - Lebak.

Sources:

• Philippines News agency, "180 agrarian reform beneficiaries ready to turn farms into thriving agribusiness ventures", 17 Oct 2025.