COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) conducted a Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Approach Training through the Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Division on May 28.
The training was graced by MAFAR Chief of Staff Arphia T. Ebus, JD, Sh.C., and attended by MAFAR employees to help improve local farming practices.
COS Ebus, in her message, encouraged participants to use the SHEP Approach to assist farmers. The SHEP Approach aims to empower smallholder horticulture farmers by giving them the skills, knowledge, and resources to improve their farming practices, access markets, and enhance their socio-economic well-being.
During the training, Samraida Undong, MAFAR-Maguindanao Supervising Agriculturist, discussed the importance of gender in SHEP. Ramil M. Timpolok, Senior Agriculturist, introduced SHEP and explained its pillars and four-step approach.
The SHEP Approach helps farmers by teaching them how to produce high-quality crops, connect with buyers, and manage their farms efficiently, leading them to increased income and better living conditions for farming families.
Currently, the SHEP Approach is being implemented in pilot areas in the municipalities of Barira and Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte, with promising results for local farmers.
