LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—At least 31 researchers involved in various projects funded by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research have completed on Friday training on financial viability of high-value crops necessary in the borderless trade among Southeast Asian nations.
Organized and hosted by the Los Baños-based Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, the training was conducted under the auspices of the DA-BAR-funded project.
According to SEARCA Director Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit Jr., the training course covered cost and return analysis, partial budget analysis, break-even analysis, and financial cash flow analysis to enable the participants to conduct financial viability and profitability analysis of new technologies and enterprises.
“The need to inject new technologies and innovations into agricultural production has become a prerequisite for the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations so they can competitively participate in the borderless trade brought about by regional integration,” Saguiguit said.
He said the researchers are the second batch that has undergone the training course on “Financial Viability and Profitability Analysis of New Technologies and Enterprises under the High Value Crops Development Program.”
All participants of the training course included DA-BAR technical staff, chairmen and managers of organizations, local government unit staff, and personnel from state universities and colleges involved in 25 selected projects funded by the DA-BAR.
The participants were selected for their familiarity with the financial aspect of their respective projects.
“Our support to this project comes from our understanding of the important role of technologies and product innovations in increasing farm productivity, especially through small- and medium-scale agro-enterprises, the major driver of the Philippines’ agriculture-based industry,” Saguiguit said.
The third and last run of the training is slated on July 24 to 27 and will also be held at SEARCA and will also be facilitated by the center’s Project Development and Technical Services.