Amidst the continuing threat of covid-19 transmission, mass gatherings and face-to-face interactions are still limited and regulated to minimal capacities. While this has been the case for some time now, the need to capacitate farmers on latest farming technologies and recent developments in agriculture is still a necessity that needs not to be constrained. In this context, the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office continues to educate and capacitate farmers without the need for them to attend face-to-face trainings. The learning continues as PAgO adopts virtual mode of conducting trainings using online video communication platforms.
During the 1st semester of 2021, PAgO started to implement virtual training activities for its farmers, agricultural extension workers (AEW), students, and other agriculture stakeholders. This trend continues as PAgO successfully conducted four more virtual trainings from September to November. The virtual training activities focused on strengthening organizational capacities of rural-based organizations (RBO), value addition of major agri-commodities in the province, business planning, and farm tourism.
Strengthening RBOs in 2nd District
On September 21-22, 2021, various rural based organizations from the different municipalities of the 2nd district of Oriental Mindoro took part on the two-day training on Levelling Up Farmers Competency Towards Food Security. Focused on organizational and capacity development, a total of 58 RBO officers, farmer leaders and Municipal RBO Coordinators attended the virtual activity. Mr. John Mengry Valenzuela, a Social Development Practitioner and Mr. Jefhtee Panganiban from the Cooperative Development Authority served as resource speakers.
Mr. Felix M. Magboo of Pinamalayan Bahaghari Farmers Association was thankful of the opportunity provided by PAgO as the training somehow steered them back on track to make their organization more active after a prolonged period of inactivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Value addition for more income
A total of 92 farmers and local entrepreneurs participated in the 3-day training on Value Addition of Agricultural Commodities in Oriental Mindoro. The training focused on the four major commodities of the province which are rice, calamansi, coconut and banana. Among the topics presented were agri-processing methodology and agri-processing equipment and familiarization, food safety, techno-preneurship, and packaging and labelling. Highlight of the said training is the demonstration and presentation of value-added products developed per commodity by PAGO. Some of the innovative value-added products that were presented are tapuy dark rice wine, puffed rice candy bars, crispy rice chicharon for rice processing while jam, calamansi bars, and custard tartlets were developed for calamansi processing. Coconut macaroons, dehydrated coconut noodles, sweetened dehydrated coconut flakes and banana vinegar, banana ice cream and banana gum candy were processed for coconut and banana, respectively.
Food technology experts from Mindoro State University and the Regional Food Innovation Center served as the training instructors. They were MINSU Director for Development Ms. Mina A. Caoili, Project leader Mr. Mario A. De Castro Jr., and Faculty Researcher Mr. Ronnie F. Magsino. Also served as resource person are Mr. Jesse M. Pine, DOST Provincial Director, Engr. Christine Caringal of DOST and Mr. Arnel E. Hutalla, DTI Provincial Director.
PAGO in partnership with MINSU and DOST, has been actively promoting value added agriculture in the province and such trainings have been continually conducted to capacitate the farmers to acquire skills in developing innovative products. Such know-how when applied will not only address low income and oversupply concerns but more importantly presents an opportunity for higher income and an economically viable livelihood ventures.
Business planning training
To enable RBOs to formulate their own business plan which will serve as their basis in business implementation and decision making, PAGO conducted the Agriculture Stakeholders Capability Development Training on November 10-11, 2021. The 2-day virtual training and workshop was attended by 58 RBO members and AEWs. They were trained on how to prepare and write their own organization’s business plan following the topics presented by Mr. John Mengry Valenzuela who served as the resource person.
Mr. Venerando M. Sanchez, Jr, Chief of PAGO’s Agro Resource Technology Management Division encouraged the participants to make the most of this kind of training especially that the Provincial Government through PAGO has an annual allocation for financial assistance to RBOs, to which a sound business proposal or livelihood project is one of the primary considerations in granting the financial subsidies.
Farm tourism opportunities
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the tourism industry but with the easing of travel restrictions and community quarantine measures, people are starting to take tours again. Oriental Mindoro takes pride not only of its natural and cultural attractions, as a predominantly agricultural province, an emerging farm tourism industry is gaining foothold as destination areas among locals and tourists.
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the tourism industry but with the easing of travel restrictions and community quarantine measures, people are starting to take tours again. Oriental Mindoro takes pride not only of its natural and cultural attractions, as a predominantly agricultural province, an emerging farm tourism industry is gaining foothold as destination areas among locals and tourists.
