The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently partnered with Tarlac State University (TSU) to conduct a specialized training session on social media marketing and e-commerce platforms for 20 members of the Cabayaoasan Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (CFAC) located in Paniki City, Tarlac Province. This training is a key initiative under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), aimed at equipping farmer beneficiaries with essential digital skills to enhance their market competitiveness and brand presence.
The session was led by Winston Abalos, Director of TSU’s Alumni Affairs Office, who provided detailed guidance on how to build and maintain a strong online brand. He introduced the most popular social media platforms in the Philippines, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Abalos also focused on practical usage of e-commerce tools such as Shopee and TikTok Shops, helping cooperative members understand how to maximize these platforms to promote and sell their products, thereby expanding their reach in the online marketplace.
Paolo Manese, Trade Industry Development Specialist from DTI, emphasized the crucial role digital platforms play in expanding market share for small and emerging enterprises. Highlighting the rapid growth of e-commerce, Manese noted that online sales have become a vital channel for businesses to reach customers, especially under the new normal shaped by the ongoing pandemic. He pointed out that CFAC’s mushroom products have already gained local market recognition, and the next step is to leverage social media and e-commerce platforms to broaden their customer base and diversify sales channels.
Following the training, CFAC Chairman Rolly Salcedo expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the cooperative members. He acknowledged the continuous support from DTI and the CARP program, particularly in addressing the knowledge and technical gaps they faced when attempting online sales. Salcedo highlighted that the training not only improved their practical skills but also boosted their confidence and optimism about the future of e-commerce. The cooperative plans to promptly apply the new knowledge to launch their products on e-commerce platforms, aiming to open new sales avenues and improve economic returns.
To ensure CFAC stays updated on the latest developments in e-commerce, DTI pledged ongoing information sharing and technical assistance to help the cooperative remain competitive in the digital market. This training marks a significant step by the government to drive agricultural digital transformation and reflects an active collaboration between academia, industry, and government to foster innovative local agricultural development.
Looking ahead, similar training programs will be extended to more farmer cooperatives, supporting the integration of agricultural communities into the digital economy, thereby promoting rural revitalization and increasing farmers’ incomes.
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