USTP CDO empowers mushroom farmers through financial literacy, value adding, and marketing training
By Chenchen V. Demesana, Research Assistant, Center for Human Development (CHD), USTP CDO
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The Center for Human Development (CHD) of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), through the AgriCircle Project, “Advancing Urban and Peri-Urban Agricultural Connectivity in Metro Cagayan de Oro,” conducted a training on financial literacy, value-adding, and marketing for local mushroom farmers on October 28, 2026, at the Conference Room of the City Agriculture Office in Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City. The training, titled “GSK: Empowering Mushroom Farmers in CdeO via Financial Literacy, Value Adding, and Marketing Techniques,” aimed to strengthen the participants’ entrepreneurial and business management skills, particularly in financial planning, product development, and market expansion.
During the activity, Ms. Maydene V. Demesana presented the AgriCircle Project, outlining its objectives, key components, and initiatives to strengthen connections among urban and peri-urban agricultural stakeholders. She highlighted the project’s role in improving access to agricultural knowledge, technical assistance, and market opportunities through stakeholder collaboration and digital connectivity.
The activity featured four modules:
Module I: Futures Thinking, facilitated by EnP Angelie Azcuna-Collera, Head of the Center for Human Development, which covered trend identification, risk and opportunity assessment, scenario building, and action planning
Module II: Financial Literacy, facilitated by Reynaldo B. Collera, MBA, Senior High School of Teacher, Lapasan National High School, which focused on the Business Model Canvas, budgeting, costing, pricing, and cash flow management
Module III: Value Adding, facilitated by Ms. Phoebe Galeon, PFT, LPT, Manager of the Northern Mindanao Food Innovation Center, which discussed food handling, packaging, labeling, and product development; and
Module IV: Product Marketing, facilitated by Maria Doreen C. Ranada, Head, Marketing and Communication Unit, OVPFRM, which emphasized branding, promotion, market identification, and social media content creation.
Through the training, AgriCircle supported efforts to enhance mushroom farmers’ capacity to manage their enterprises, develop value-added products, and reach potential markets. The activity also strengthened collaboration among USTP-CHD, the City Agriculture Office, and local agricultural stakeholders in advancing a more connected and market-responsive agricultural sector in Metro Cagayan de Oro.
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