In a move to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of women farmers, the provincial government of Negros Occidental has allocated financial support to two farmers’ associations. On February 6, 2025, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) announced that each association received PHP250,000 under the Farmers Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), part of the province’s Gender and Development (GAD) initiative. OIC Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola emphasized the importance of the financial grants in bolstering the capital and business ventures of the beneficiaries. The AMIA Village Organic Farmers Association (AVOFA) in Barangay San Isidro, Pontevedra, is using the funds for their ‘Agri-Products Consolidation and Marketing Enterprise’ project. With 81 members, 62% of whom are women, AVOFA aims to improve its marketing strategies. Similarly, the Tampalon Rainfed Upland Farmers Association in Kabankalan City, with 393 members, 65% women, is focusing on palay buying and rice retailing in Purok Bougainvilla, Barangay Tampalon. The FEP’s goal is to empower local farmers, particularly women, by enhancing their business skills, resource access, and marketing prowess to boost profitability. The OPA highlighted that the program aids in scaling up operations, building capacity, and strengthening market connections.
