The City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgrO), through its Agribusiness Development Services Division (ADSD), called on Dabawenyo farmers, fisherfolk, and women to transition from traditional farming to sustainable entrepreneurship through business planning and financial management support.
The ADSD provides free technical assistance, seminars, and interest-free loan enterprise programs across Davao City.
During the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) interview, Anchemil B. Villa, Agricultural Technologist of the ADSD, highlighted that under the Enterprise Development Services, the office offers comprehensive technical assistance to help local producers make practical business plans, establish simple bookkeeping systems, and improve overall financial literacy.
Here, CAgrO serves as one of the implementing agencies for the Davao City Sustainable Livelihood Entrepreneurship Program (DCSLEP), delivering interest-free loans of up to Php 300,000 with a flexible three-year repayment period and a six-month grace period.
The financing support operates through two key programs: the Agri-Fishery Enterprise Development Program for general agricultural producers, and the Magnegosyo Ta ‘Dai (MTD) program, which is specifically for women entrepreneurs. Registered farmers and fisherfolk, as well as women entrepreneurs with value-added agri-related products, can directly access the loan to secure initial capital for processing, equipment, and market expansion directly from CAgrO’s office.
To strengthen enterprise sustainability, the ADSD regularly coordinates training sessions and forums across various districts, collaborating with agencies such as the City Cooperative Development Office (CCDO) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to provide speakers regarding financial literacies and bookkeeping.
Villa emphasized the critical role of maintaining detailed financial records, noting that proper record-keeping allows producers to accurately measure production costs, manage expenses, and evaluate actual profits.
The program has successfully reached multiple associations and individual beneficiaries across Davao City, particularly women’s groups engaged in food processing, value-adding, and agricultural trade such as vegetable retailing and pickle production.
Among the successful beneficiaries of the program are the Daliao Fisherfolk Informal Settlers Women’s Association (DFISWA), which established a rice retailing enterprise, and another group specializing in crafted cacao seedling production. These businesses shows how structured planning and accessible seed capital turn local agricultural activities into resilient community-led businesses.
The long-term farm success depends on structured business management rather than relying solely on crop yields or sales revenue. Without a complete business plan and proper financial tracking, farm owners often mistake gross sales for real income, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected costs and operating losses.
“Isa jud sa amoang mandate na amoa jud gina-encourage ang mga farmers na mag-negosyo jud, na pag-uma isip negosyo kay kini usa man jud ni sa ilang pangkinabuhian so unta dili lang sila mananom para lang pananom pero ila pung isipon ang isip Negosyo. Tapos pag naa na silay kita, naa nay nahalin, abi nilag naa na silay kita pero wala pa diay kay wala silay eksaktong plano, so importante jud magbuhat silage business plan, sa ilang pag-uma (One of our main mandates is really to encourage farmers to engage in business and view farming as an enterprise, because this is their primary livelihood; so hopefully, they do not just plant for the sake of planting, but also think with a business mindset. When they earn income or make sales, they often assume they are already making a profit, but in reality, they might not be because they lack a clear plan—that is why creating a business plan for their farming operations is truly essential),” Villa said. CIO
Written by: J. Murillo
Edited by: A. Nawal
Photo by: Davao City Agri Office – DCAO