The participants of the training with the Financial Viability Project consultants.
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines - The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), is currently conducting the third training course on Financial Viability and Profitability Analysis of New Technologies and Enterprises under the High Value Crops Development Program from 24-27 July 2017 at the SEARCA headquarters. This activity is the third and last in a series of training courses under the DA-BAR-funded project "Financial Viability and Profitability Analysis of New Technologies and Enterprises under the High Value Crops Development Program."
The training course is being conducted to provide research personnel of various academic and research institutions the capability of conducting financial viability and profitability analysis of new technologies and enterprises. The major topics covered included cost and return analysis, partial budget analysis, break-even analysis, and financial cash flow analysis.
Attending the training are 21 participants composed of the DA attached agencies staff, Chairman/Manager, and state university and college (SUC) personnel involved in 16 selected projects funded by DA-BAR. They are familiar with the financial aspect of their respective projects.
The 16 DA-BAR funded projects are as follows:
- Development of Commercial-Scale Belt-Type Dryer with Combination Far-Infrared and Convection Heating for Rapid Drying of Mango Slices
- Conservation, Evaluation, and Commercialization of Batuan (Garcinia binucao) in Region V (Masbate and Sorsogon)
- Lotus R&D for Region 3: Production Technology Generation for Food and Non-Food Products, Aesthetics, and Medicinal Purposes
- Village-level Processing, Technology Development, and Promotion of Katmon (Dillenia philippinensis)
- Production and Commercialization of Abaca Yarn, Twine, and its Derived Products in Region VIII Areas
- Development and Promotion of Postharvest Equipment for Carrot Processing in BAPTC
- Commercialization and Marketing of Sweet Potato, Adlay, Soybean & Roselle Products & By-products in Region 10
- Development and Commercialization of Sweet Potato and Potato Products
- Production and Processing Technologies Development and Commercialization for Organically-Grown Cucumber and Carrots in Bukidnon
- Promotion of Organic Production Technologies for Rice and Muscovado Sugar for Smallholder Farmers and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries
- Piloting Arabica Coffee Rooted Cuttings as Plant Materials in the Highlands
- Macadamia Conservation, Propagation, and Commercialization in Luzon
- Promotion of Generated Cacao Technologies and Development of New Products towards Improved Livelihood
- Promotion and Commercialization of Soya Nuggets and Soya Chunks Insta Ulam
- Project Development and Commercialization of Tropical Fruit-based Products (Rimas Ice Cream)
- Product Improvement and Marketing Plan for Dalanghita Nectar
Dr. Lope B. Santos III, SEARCA Unit Head for Project Development and Technical Services, delivers the welcome remarks on behalf of Director Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr. 
Dr. Corazon T. Aragon, Project Leader, delivers the opening remarks.
The project team is composed of Dr. Corazon T. Aragon, Project Leader, and Dr. Cesar B. Quicoy, Financial Viability Expert, who served as the lead lecturers during the training. The facilitators are also members of the project team, namely: Mr. Bates M. Bathan, Training Facilitator, and Dr. Antonio Jesus A. Quilloy, Training Manual Designer.
The activity is spearheaded by the SEARCA Project Development and Technical Services (PDTS) led by Dr. Lope B. Santos III, Unit Head; Ms. Nancy M. Landicho, Program Specialist; and Ms. Imelda L. Batangantang, Program Associate. Ms. Maribel B. Almanza, Project Coordinator, and Mr. Jerrel Edric B. Mallari, Project Assistant, provide technical and logistical assistance in the training.