Bookkeeping seminars
ENHANCEMENT COURSE ON CROP PRODUCTION
Using Hydroponics Technology. The objective of the training was to enhance the knowledge and skills of the MCs who are already into hydroponics production and train other MCs and organizations which plan to go into hydroponics. The technology was initiated in 2006 among our members in Candelaria and Iloilo City. In the process, the two groups met problems that have to be addressed; e.g. stunted growth, discolorated leaves, bitter taste, etc. The continuous supply of seeds and nutrient solutions as well as the handling of the product while transporting them were also looked into. For this training, the federation entered into a partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in Los Banos, Laguna.
The training was conducted on September 4-7, 2007. The course included the history and utilization of hydroponics farming, hands-on demonstration on the setting up of a low-cost hydroponics system from sowing up to the last step of production, presentation of actual experiences on growing various vegetables and crops using the system, nutrient formulation and business plan preparation which included cost and return analysis, marketing strategies and post-harvest handling and packaging.
All in all, there were 16 participants. They came from the Association of Disabled Persons in Iloilo City (ADPI-MPC), Lingkod Banahaw Multi-purpose Cooperative (LBMPC) in Quezon, Association of Differently-Abled Persons (ADAP-MPC) in Davao, the Autism Society Philippines (ASP) Laguna and Olongapo Chapters and the national office. The resource persons were Mr. Primitivo Jose Santos of the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) from the University of the Philippines in Los Banos (UPLB), Ms. Eureka Teresa Ocampo of the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) in UPLB, Mr. Leandro Gasmin of the DAX Farm (Lettuce) in San Jose Batangas and Dr. Perlita Nuevo of the Post Harvest Department, UPLB.
Lettuce farm field trips
Start and Improve Your Business(SIYB) seminar-workshop
TRAINING ON ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS
Awarding of Certificates of Completion (SIYB training)
A "Start and Improve your Business (SIYB)" training was conducted from September 10-14, 2007 at the Norfil Foundation in Quezon City. The participants were 20 women from our member-cooperatives who were already engaged in business or were planing to start their businesses. The trainers were: Ms. Jona Santos from CBM, Mr. Felix Tonog from the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Mr. Domingo Ramos from the National Livelihood Support Fund (NLSF) and Mr. Hector Olmedillo from the Small Business Guaranteed Fund Corporation (SBGFC). To date, some of the cooperatives are in the process of product-testing in their areas. For one, ADAP had already made a business plan for Green Salad Production using hydroponics. The cooperative believes that there is a great potential in this economic venture.