IN the rolling uplands of Aurora, a quiet shift is taking place: farmers who have spent generations cultivating rice, corn, and vegetables are now learning how to turn those crops into market ready products, negotiate contracts, and run their own agribusiness entities.
The change is being driven by the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) Farm Business School, a program that blends hands on farming with business management.
Thirty agrarian reform beneficiaries from the Samahan ng mga Settlers ng San Luis, Aurora, Inc. are currently enrolled in the school’s 17 session curriculum. The sessions cover everything from soil health and post harvest handling to product development, branding, and financial planning.
By the end of the course, participants are expected not only to increase their yields but also to create value added goods that can command higher prices in local and regional markets.
Ferdinand Poblete, DAR Aurora’s Agrarian Reform Program Officer, said that traditional farming keeps families fed, but rarely builds wealth.
“Our goal is to guide these farmers into agricultural entrepreneurship—helping them move from raw material producers to creators of finished products that can compete in the supply chain,” Poblete said.
A cornerstone of the program is cluster formation. Small scale growers are organized into cooperative business units that can pool resources, share equipment, and collectively meet market demand.
DAR said that this approach gives them bargaining power when dealing with buyers, reduces individual risk, and ensures a steady, quality controlled supply of goods.
“By forming clusters, farmers can negotiate better prices, access larger institutional buyers, and sustain operations even when one member faces a setback,” Poblete explained. “It’s about building long term competitiveness and economic resilience for the whole community.”
The participants are now in their fourth session and will graduate on June 13, 2026. So far, they have learned how to conduct market research, develop simple business plans, and test prototype products such as dried fruit snacks, herbal teas, and processed cornmeal.
Field visits to successful farmer cooperatives in nearby provinces have given them real world examples of what’s possible.
Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes cooperative principles, governance, and member responsibilities. Farmers are taught how to elect leaders, maintain transparent records, and resolve disputes—foundations for any sustainable enterprise.
DAR’s vision extends beyond this single batch of trainees. Poblete shared that the agency intends to replicate the farm business school across Aurora, targeting more farmer organizations in remote barangays.
“We want to create a network of agri entrepreneurs who can drive local food security, raise household incomes, and contribute to inclusive growth throughout the province,” he said.
Local officials have welcomed the initiative. San Luis Mayor Ariel De Jesus said that stronger farmer enterprises could reduce out migration and keep young people in the community.
“When farmers earn more, they invest in education, health, and local services. It’s a ripple effect that benefits everyone,” he said.
As the program progresses, DAR said it will monitor participants’ business performance, offering mentorship and linking them to credit facilities and market outlets.
The ultimate aim, officials said, is to transform Aurora’s agricultural landscape from a subsistence based sector into a vibrant, entrepreneurial ecosystem.
For now, the 30 farmers of San Luis are busy with their lessons, their notebooks filled with diagrams of supply chains and cost calculations.
In a few months, DAR said they will walk across a stage, not just as graduates of a training course, but as the province’s newest agri entrepreneurs—ready to turn their fields into sustainable businesses and, perhaps, rewrite the future of farming in Aurora.