AGROENTREPRENEURSHIP NC II TESDA Course

AGROENTREPRENEURSHIP National Certificate II (TESDA Course)

The AGROENTREPRENEURSHIP NC II Qualification consists of competencies that a person must achieve to assess market opportunities, establish farm production plan, handle finances, and market produce.

This Qualification is packaged from the competency map of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Sector.

A person who has achieved this Qualification is competent to be:

• Marketing Coordinator
• Production Coordinator

AGROENTREPRENEURSHIP NC II QUALIFICATION

Course Title: AGROENTREPRENEURSHIP
Level: NC II
Nominal Training Duration : 239 Hours

This course is designed to enhance the knowledge, desirable attitudes and skills of marketing and production coordinator. It includes competencies in assessing market opportunities, establishing farm production plan, handling finances and marketing produce.

These guidelines are set to provide the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) providers with information and other important requirements to consider when designing training programs for AGROENTREPRENEURSHIP NC II

TRAINEE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Trainees or students wishing to enroll in this course should possess the following requirements.

1. Able to read and write;
2. Able to communicate, both orally and in writing; and
3. Basic mathematical skills

Competencies required in AGROENTREPRENEURSHIP NC II

This units of competency comprising this qualification include the following:

UNIT CODE	CORE COMPETENCIES (144 Hours)
AFF243301	Assess Market Opportunities
AFF243302	Establish Farm Production Plan
AFF243303	Handle Finances
AFF243304	Market Produce
UNIT CODE	COMMON COMPETENCIES (75 Hours)
AFF321201	Apply safety measures in farm operations
AFF321203	Perform Estimation and Basic Calculation
HCS421201	Provide Quality Customer Service
HCS315202	Comply with Quality and Ethical Standards
UNIT CODE	BASIC COMPETENCIES (20 Hours)
500311105	Participate in workplace communication
500311106	Work in a team environment
500311107	Practice career professionalism
500311108	Practice occupational health and safety procedures

CORE COMPETENCIES (144 Hours)

ASSESS MARKET OPPORTUNITIES (AFF243301) – The unit deals with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of farmer owner/agro entrepreneurs to conduct market visits, determine value adding activities and prepare market plan.

1. Conduct market visits
   • Buyers are identified in the local market following industry practice
   • Buyers are interviewed according to industry practice
   • Buyers are selected based on result of the interview
2. Determine value adding activities
   • Flow of produce from farm to the selected buyer is determined based on the established industry practices.
   • Value adding activities are identified based on requirements of selected buyer requirements
   • Comparative prices and costs of value adding activities are computed based on industry practice
   • Value adding activities are selected based on buyers’ requirement
3. Prepare market plan
   • Marketing objective is prepared according to the result of market research
   • the product to selected buyers are established based on objective set
   • Targeted sales, costs and marketing profit is estimated based on objective set
   • Contingency plan is formulated based on market risks
   • Details of marketing plan is compiled according to industry procedure

ESTABLISH FARM PRODUCTION PLAN (AFF243302) – This unit deals with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to review, prepare and improve farm production plan. It also includes competencies in monitoring activities, record keeping and information gathering.

1. Review farm production plan
   • Farm production performance are monitored according to industry standard.
   • Information and feedback are gathered following industry practices.
   • Record keeping is practiced following workplace procedures.
   • Farm records are used according to industry procedures.
   • Improvements are selected based on the result of the review.
2. Prepare farm production plan
   • Farm production requirements are identified based on market demand.
   • Farm Production activities and cost are determined based on accepted farming practices.
   • Volume of harvest is computed according to actual production capacity.
   • Alternative farm products are selected based on market demand.
   • Contingency plan is formulated based on farm production risks.
   • Suppliers and providers are selected based on preference/criteria.
3. Improve farm production plan
   • Farm production activities and costing are adjusted based on the result of review.
   • Selected improvements are applied based on the result of review.
   • Projected volume target is adjusted based on the result of review.
   • Corrective measures are applied based on the result of review.

HANDLE FINANCES (AFF243303) – The unit deals with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for the individual farmer to prepare budget plan, apply budget plan and invest farm income.

1. Prepare budget plan
   • Farm Cost are computed based on farm activities
   • Financial Service Providers are identified based on requirement
   • Sources of Financial Services are selected based on requirement
   • Details of budget plan are compiled
2. Apply budget plan
   • Membership requirements in an organization is complied based on standard procedures
   • Loan application documents and requirements are submitted based on industry procedures
   • Financing is availed based on farm plan schedule
   • Financial obligations are settled based on budget allocation
3. Invest farm income
   • Saving is practiced following budget plan
   • Assets are acquired
   • Farm expansion and diversification is funded following budget plan

MARKET PRODUCE (AFF243304) – The unit deals with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of farm owner/agro-entrepreneur to monitor prevailing price of produce, apply marketing strategies and trade produce.

1. Monitor prevailing price of produce
   • Major buyers and trading centers of the produce is determined according to industry practice
   • Information on price is gathered following industry standard procedure
   • Price information is recorded following industry standard procedure
2. Apply marketing strategies
   • Collected information is used in strategizing to optimise sales and profit according to standard marketing procedure
   • Value adding activities are applied to increase sales and profit based on market plan
   • Services of Business development service (BDS) providers are identified based on industry practices
   • Consolidation of produce and group marketing is done following industry practices.
3. Sell produce
   • Negotiation with buyers and business development service providers are performed according to industry practice
   • Sales terms and conditions are established and agreed following marketing practices
   • Produce for selling is prepared according to market requirements
   • Produce are delivered to buyers based on agreement
   • Marketing operation is assessed based on marketing practices
   • Details of marketing transaction are recorded and kept as reference following industry practice

COMMON COMPETENCIES (75 Hours)

APPLY SAFETY MEASURES IN FARM OPERATIONS (AFF321201) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and  attitudes required to perform safety measures effectively and efficiently. It includes identifying areas, tools, materials, time and place in performing safety measures.

1. Determine areas of concern for safety measures
   • Work tasks are identified in line with farm operations
   • Place for safety measures are determined in line with farm operations
   • Time for safety measures are determined in line with farm operations
   • Appropriate tools, materials and outfits are prepared in line with job requirements
2. Apply appropriate safety measures
   • Tools and materials are used according to specifications and procedures
   • Outfits are worn according to farm requirements
   • Effectivity/shelf life/expiration of materials are strictly observed
   • Emergency procedures are known and followed to ensure a safe work requirement
   • Hazards in the workplace are identified and reported in line with farm guidelines
3. Safekeep/dispose of tools, materials and outfit
   • Used tools and outfit are cleaned after use and stored in designated areas
   • Unused materials are properly labeled and stored according to manufacturer’s recommendation and farm requirements
   • Waste materials are disposed according to manufacturers, government and farm requirements.

PERFORM ESTIMATION AND BASIC CALCULATION (AFF321203) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes
required to perform basic workplace calculations.

1. Perform estimation
   • Job requirements are identified from written or oral communications
   • Quantities of materials and resources required to complete a work task are estimated
   • The time needed to complete a work activity is estimated
   • Accurate estimate for work completion are made
   • Estimate of materials and resources are reported to appropriate person
2. Perform basic workplace calculation
   • System and units of measurement to be followed are ascertained
   • Calculation needed to complete work tasks are performed using the four basic mathematical operation
   • Calculate whole fraction, percentage and mixed when are used to complete the instructions
   • Number computed is checked following work requirements

PROVIDE QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE (HCS421201) – This unit covers the knowledge, skill and attitudes
required to provide effective and efficient services to the clients of the microfinance industry.

1. Update knowledge of products and services
   • Products and/or services to be marketed are identified, familiarized with and fully understood
   • Information on programs is accessed
   • Knowledge on products, services and programs are updated
   • Additional information on products, services and programs are prepared
2. Assess needs of new and existing clients
   • Active listening is used to gather information from clients
   • Orientation on products/services, program and policies are conducted Identified related or applicable needs of clients based on the products/services and program being offered
   • Provided clients with courteous and professional treatment throughout the interaction using interactive communication
   • Inquiries, concerns and comments are responded to promptly and accurately in accordance with organization’s policies
   • Recorded all the gathered information given by the clients
3. Conduct client satisfaction survey
   • Client satisfaction survey is administered
   • Survey results are collated and analyzed
   • Positive and negative results are defined
   • Negative feedbacks are well addressed immediately through appropriate communication strategies

COMPLY WITH QUALITY AND ETHICAL STANDARDS (HCS315202) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to apply quality and ethical standards in the workplace. The unit also includes the application of relevant safety procedures and regulations, organization procedures, client and industry requirements.

1. Assess quality of received materials
   • Client satisfaction survey is administered
   • Survey results are collated and analyzed
   • Positive and negative results are defined
   • Negative feedbacks are well addressed immediately through appropriate communication strategies
2. Assess own work/output
   • Documentation relative to quality within the company is identified and used
   • Completed work is checked against workplace standards
   • Defects are identified and corrected in accordance with the company quality standards
3. Submit oneself to third party assessment
   • Information on the quality and other indicators of performance are recorded in accordance with workplace procedures
   • In cases of deviations from specific quality standards, causes are documented and reported in accordance with the workplace’s standards operating procedures
   • In cases of objections/disagreements, reasons are expressed thru written documentation
   • Settlements are sought in accordance with company policies
4. Engage in quality improvement
   • Process improvement procedures are participated in relative to workplace assignment
   • Work is carried out in accordance with process improvement procedures
   • Services are delivered in accordance with ethical standards
   • Quality service is monitored to ensure client satisfaction
   • Client’s needs are assessed through conduct of researches, focus group discussions, and satisfaction surveys/interviews
   • Trainings, orientations, and exposures are their understanding/familiarization on products, services and programs

BASIC COMPETENCIES (20 Hours)

PARTICIPATE IN WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION (500311105) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes
required to gather, interpret and convey information in response to workplace requirements..

1. Obtain and convey workplace information.
2. Complete relevant work related documents.
3. Participate in workplace meeting and discussion.

WORK IN TEAM ENVIRONMENT (500311106) – This unit covers the skills, knowledge and attitudes to identify role and responsibility as a member of a team..

1. Describe and identify team role and responsibility in a team.
2. Describe work as a team member.

PRACTICE CAREER PROFESSIONALISM (500311107) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes in promoting career growth and advancement.

1. Integrate personal objectives with organizational goals.
2. Set and meet work priorities.
3. Maintain professional growth and development.

PRACTICE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES (0311108) – This unit covers the outcomes  required to comply with regulatory and organizational requirements for occupational health and safety.

1. Identify hazards and risks
2. Evaluate hazard and risks
3. Control hazards and risks
4. Maintain occupational health and safety awareness

LIST OF TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

Recommended list of tools, equipment and materials for the training of AGROENTREPRENEURSHIP NC II

TOOLS	EQUIPMENT	MATERIALS
Scissor	Portable speaker with microphone	Marking pen (permanent)
Stapler	camera phone	Marking pen (white board)/ chalk
Puncher	White / Black Board	Ballpen
Calculators		Ballpen
		Notebook
		Masking tape (1 inch)
		Flipchart
		Manila paper
		Cartolina
		Record book
		Bond paper
		Staple wire
		Reference materials (manual, guide book)
		Crayons (8 pcs/box)

To attain the National Qualification of AGROENTREPRENEURSHIP NC II, the candidate must demonstrate competence through a project-type assessment covering in all units. Successful candidates shall be awarded a National Certificate signed by the TESDA Director General.

The Qualification of AGROENTREPRENEURSHIP NCII may also be acquired through the accumulation of Certificates of Competency (COC’s) in the following units of competency.

COC 1. CONDUCT MARKETING ACTIVITIES

• Assess Market Opportunities
• Market Produce

COC 2. PREPARE FARM PLAN AND BUDGET

• Establish Farm Production Plan
• Handle Finances

DEFINITION OF TERMS

• Agroenterprise – Refers to the business of organized farmers that actively work with market actors, having relationships with buyers of their products and business service providers that support the movement of their products in the market chain at a profit.
• Budget Plan – Document which covers the farm activities with corresponding cost and a plan where to source and allocate the funds.
• Business Development Service Providers – support the market chain to function but they do not directly handle the product. This includes micro-credit providers, transportation providers, market information service, trainings, transportation services, warehouse and cold storage facilities providers, pre-postharvest facilities providers and input suppliers.
• Buyer/traditional local buyer –
  • A person who makes a purchase;
  • Have no formal arrangements with farmers before buying their product;
  • Take part in spot trading – prices change daily or hourly based on supply and demand;
  • Are accessible to farmers in rural areas.
  • a party which acquires, or agrees to acquire, ownership (in case of goods),or benefit or usage (in case of services),in exchange for money or other consideration under a contract of sale. This includes but not limited to processor or manufacturer, supermarket, local traders, trading centers, public market, wholesaler, retailer.
• Classroom Training – This type of training is facilitated by an instructor either on-line or in a classroom setting. Instructor-led training allows for learners and instructors or facilitators to interact and discuss the training material, either individually or in a group setting.
• Collected information – is the process of gathering of data on targeted variables in an established systematic fashion, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes It is a systematic approach to gathering data from a variety of sources to get a complete and accurate picture of an area of interest.
• Consolidators – A frim which groups together orders from different companies into one shipment
• Contingency Plan – A contingency plan is a plan devised for an outcome other than in the usual (expected) plan. It is often used for risk management when an exceptional risk that, though unlikely, would have catastrophic consequences. Designed to take a possible future event or circumstance into account.
• Contract risk – is the risk of contract default by the producer or the contractor.
• Corrective measures – are the actions taken to prevent the recurrence of an event that caused the problem initially.
• Criteria – a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided.
• Diversification – primarily involves a substitution of one crop or other agricultural product for another, or an increase in the number of enterprises, or activities, carried out by a particular farm.
• Farm diversification/expansion – A business decision for farmer to engage in more agricultural products in addition to the existing. A business decision for farmer to increase production capacity with implications to funding requirements in terms of farm inputs and land area
• Farm gate price – the price for the sale of farm produce direct from the producer.
• Farm Plan Schedule – Detailed period or time frame of farm production activities specifying the need for financing
• Farm Production activities – are specific farm tasks to be undertaken in producing from components or raw materials.
• Farm production plan – Encompasses all the details surrounding how your farm operation will produce products for market.
• Farm production requirements – These are requirements used during crop production such as inputs, labor, farm machineries and equipment.
• Farm records – are books used to record all farm events, happenings and operation on the farm.
• Feedback – information about reactions to a product, a person’s performance of a task, etc., used as a basis for improvement.
• Field activities/field work – practical work/activities conducted by a student/trainee in the natural environment, rather than in a room.
• Financial Obligation – refers to an obligation to pay money to another party that may arise from borrowing funds or as a result of a legal compromise.
• Financial Service Providers – institutions or individuals that extend financial assistance either in form of loans or grants intended for a specific purpose.
• Industry Practice – A method, procedure, process, or rule employed or followed by a organization, group, niche in the pursuit of its objectives. It is a practice may also refer to these collectively.
• Industry standard – Generally accepted requirements followed by the members of an industry.
• Institutional buyers –
  • Refers to a company or organization that purchases very large quantities of food.
  • Have formal arrangements with farmers before buying their product. They negotiate on pricing-agreed before purchase.
  • Are accessible to farmers that can pre-plan as part of formal arrangements, and sometimes supplier accreditation as well.
•  Local Market – Local market includes customers located within the region the product or service is produced or made available.
• Market – is the place where people, and institutions buy and sell for their agents. A market can be organized as a physical market place where products are exchanged.
• Marketing –
  • is “the performance of business activities that direct the flow of goods and services from producers to consumers or users”. marketing – as “the development and efficient distribution of goods and services for chosen consumer segments”;
  • is the series of activities involved in finding out what customers want and moving those products profitably from the point of production to the point of consumption (is the series of activities involved in finding out what customers want and moving those products profitably from the point of production to the point of consumption
• Marketing strategy – An organization’s strategy that combines all of its marketing goals into one comprehensive plan. A good marketing strategy should be drawn from market research and focus on the right product mix in order to achieve the maximum profit potential and sustain the business. The marketing strategy is the foundation of a marketing plan
• Market Mapping –  A study of various market conditions that is plotted on a map to identify trends and corresponding variables between the consumers and products.
• Market Risks – Market risk is the risk of losses in positions arising from movements in market prices and calamities
• Marketing Transaction –
  • is a business strategy that focuses on single, “point of sale” transactions. The emphasis is on maximizing the efficiency and volume of individual sales rather than developing a relationship with the buyer.
  • A strategy used in business targeting customers in making “one off” or point of sale transactions.
  • Transactional marketing has the purpose of maximizing a business’s sales efficiency by boosting the volume of individual sales instead of developing an ongoing relationship with the consumer.
• Marketing arrangement – A contract or agreement whether written or verbal between producers and buyers
• Marketing objective – Are goals set by a business when promoting its products or services to potential consumers that should be achieved within a given time frame
• Marketing Operation – builds accountability, alignment, and agility. The marketing operations (MO) function has emerged due to the need for a more transparent, efficient, and accountable view of marketing.
• Marketing plan
  • A marketing plan sets out how you are going to put your marketing strategy into practice;
  • Product specific or market specific or company-wide plan that describes activities involved in achieving specific marketing objectives
•  Mode of delivery – by which a shipment is moved from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’, such as by air, rail, road, or sea.
• Monitoring price – is the act of observing and checking the progress or quality of (something) over a period of time; and what happens to market prices in order to obtain useful knowledge and insights that may help decision makers, families or society at large in understanding
• Negotiation – Bargaining (give and take) process between two or more parties (each with its own aims, needs, and viewpoints) seeking to discover a common ground and reach an agreement to settle a matter of mutual concern or resolve a conflict.
• Practicum – a specialized field of study, that is designed to give students/trainees supervised practical application of a previously or concurrently studied theory.
•  Preference – a greater liking for one alternative over another or others.
• Price –
  • A value that will purchase a finite quantity, weight, or other measure of a good or service.
  • It is the cost or value of a good or service expressed in monetary terms, the price you can pay: tuition for receiving an education, interest for receiving a loan, rent for living in a house or using a piece of equipment, salaries or wages for employing workers.
• Processors – A person or entity that converts raw materials or semi-finished goods for another company
• Produce –  is a generalized term for a group of farm-produced crops and goods, including fruits and vegetables – meats,  grains, oats, etc. are also sometimes considered produce.
• Product liability risk – is the risk that a producer may be liable for any problems associated with the grain they have sold.
• Production module – is a guide to create standardized units of production.
• Production risks – any production related activity or event that is uncertain is a production risk
• Projected volume – assumed quantity of produce to forecast sales. Factors considered are land area size, variety of seeds/ breed of livestock and production risk calculated for a particular cropping season.
• Quality risk – is the risk of an unexpected quality level in the grain that affects the grain’s value through discounts or reduced premiums. Quality risk also includes the risk of the grain being rejected by the buyer due to low quality or contamination.
• Relationship risk – is the risk of adversely affecting relationships with buyers, suppliers, or other resource providers that are critical to the success of the farm operation.
• Retailer – A businessman or person that sells goods to the consumer
• Sales terms and conditions –
  • General and special arrangements, provisions, requirements, rules, specifications, and standards that form an integral part of an agreement or contract.
  • An agreement of sale constitutes the terms and conditions of sale of a property by the seller to the buyer. These terms and conditions include the amount at which it is to be sold and the future date of full payment.
• Traders – In farming community, a person who comes in the barangay who buys products produce of the farmers.
• Traders Agents – Middleman between the traders and farmers who sells his produce.
• Value adding activities – 
  • Are any activities that add value to the customer and meet the three criteria for a Value Adding Activity. The three criteria for a Value Adding Activity are: The step transforms the item towards completion;
  • Are activities that increase the value of a product along the market chain.
  • It includes but not limited to processing, packaging, sorting, cleaning, peeling, standard on size, length of produce, weight.
• Wholesaler – A person or firm that buys large quantity of goods from various producers or vendors, warehouse them, and resells to retailers.
• Yield risk – is simply the risk of lower than expected production.

List of Schools that offer TESDA Courses for AGROENTREPRENEURSHIP NC II

• 1 and All Technical School – Cagayan De Oro City – Misamis Oriental
• Academy for Technical Skills – Nueva Ecija
• Bausa Integrated Farm and Training Center – Bulacan
• Bondoc Peninsula Technological Institute – Quezon Province
• D’ Planners Training Center – Bataan
• Duran Farm Agribusiness & Training Center Association – Bulacan
• Envirogreen Village Educational Foundation – Sarangani
• FarmShare Prime – Laguna
• Flor and Daisy’s Agricultural Farm – Quezon Province
• GREENTOP ORGANIX FARM Argibusiness Skills Training and Assessment Center – Pangasinan
• Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative – Cebu
• NS Villamor Farm Corporation – Quezon Province
• Our Farm Agribusiness Skills Training And Assessment Center – Pangasinan
• Oyayi Farm & Resort – Cavite
• Provincial Technical Education and Skills Development Center – Taytay – Rizal
• Provincial Training Center – Cebu (Daanbantayan) – Cebu
• Provincial Training Center – Cebu (Minglanilla) – Cebu
• Provincial Training Center – Cebu (Toledo) – Cebu
• Provincial Training Center – Dumaguete – Negros Oriental
• Provincial Training Center – Lipa – Batangas
• Quality Lifelong Learning Institute – Rizal
• Regional Training Center – CALABARZON – Batangas
• Reotutar’s Garden Farm School – Pangasinan
• Rizal Provincial Technical Education and Skills Development Center – Cainta – Rizal
• Sorsogon National Agricultural School – Sorsogon
• TESDA Training Center – General Santos City – Sarangani
• TESDA-LLDA Provincial Training Center – Laguna
• TESDA-Regional Training Center – VII (Cebu) – Cebu
• Uma Verde Econature Farm – Quezon Province