To enhance leadership management skills of tobacco farmers on cooperative operations, the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) conducted a four-day training on December 27-30, 2022 at the Metro Vigan Fiesta Hotel in Guimod, Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
At least 120 officers of the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers Association and Cooperatives (NAFTAC), the country’s largest group of tobacco farmers, the block farm leaders, and the Farmers Organizational Development (FOD) branch coordinators attended the training.
The training, hosted by the NTA Farm Technology and Services Department, focused on leadership and values re-orientation and fundamentals for cooperatives. Invited as resource speakers during the training were the topic experts from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
In her video message, Administrator and CEO Belinda S. Sanchez said that training farmer leaders on cooperative leadership management ensures the efficient administration of funds allocated by the government for them.
“We need to involve our farmers in the cooperative movement toward empowering them to become more productive,” Administrator Sanchez said.
The Administrator also highlighted the vital role of NAFTAC in the country’s development of the tobacco industry as its officers have the chance to participate in the forum on Sustainable Tobacco Production, Good Agricultural Practices, and the utilization of funds derived from the tobacco excise taxes.
“NAFTAC forms part of determining tobacco floor prices of all types of tobacco in the biennial Consultative Tripartite Conferences. This group will also work for the upliftment of the lives of tobacco farmers by engaging in the cooperative movement,” she added.
NAFTAC President Bernard Vicente commended NTA for initiating the leadership management training on cooperatives.
“Through this training, we familiarized ourselves with the pertinent laws for the efficient management of the cooperative. We learned our limitations and discipline to make our cooperative successful and productive,” said Vicente.
Benjamin V. Sarmiento, former San Juan, Ilocos Sur Mayor and now Executive Assistant to the Administrator, assured the continuing assistance from the NTA for the tobacco farmers.
Other NTA officials who graced the training were Acting Deputy Administrator for Operations Dr. Giovanni B. Palabay; Jessie Pat M. Serna, Teofilo R. Quintal and Danilo C. Trongco, all members of the NTA Governing Board; and NTA Vigan Branch Manager Noralyn I. Idica and FTSD OIC Manager Engr. Randy I. Abella.
(FGL/AMC)