The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) through its Regional Field Units strengthens partnership with other government agencies in enabling livelihood program beneficiaries to be engaged in viable livelihood or microenterprise projects like fertilizer and pesticide dealership.

As such, the FPA is being tapped by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)to conduct capacity-building activities for individual farmers and farmers organizations/associations who are beneficiaries of the “Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Project” or the CLAAP, a program being jointly implemented by DSWD and DAR which aims to expand and increase farmer’s access to economic opportunities.

During trainings, FPA introduces to the beneficiaries the requirements for dealership and provides lectures on responsible use and proper handling of fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural inputs. All topics are covered by the dealership required examination or the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) examination.

Even if individuals or groups are non-CLAAP beneficiaries, FPA has already been supporting local farmer’s associations desiring to venture into fertilizer and pesticide dealership business. FPA advises farmers that it is easier [and cheaper] to register as a farmer’s association than as an individual dealer, and formation of a cooperative would require registration from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).