MindanaoToday.com | ATI-10 empowers agri-extension workers with value-adding, waste utilization training
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC)-10, through its Career Development and Management Services (CDMS), recently conducted a five-day training on value-adding and waste utilization for rice in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, for 30 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) across the region.
The training enabled participants to produce rice delicacies and other value-added rice products while understanding proper costing. Furthermore, the participants gained knowledge on basic product design and packaging concepts to boost their products’ marketability.
Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSA) cooperators in Region 10, namely Engallado Nature Farm and Natural Food Products, Mariquit Mushroom Farm, and Mushroom City, served as inspirations for the participants as they learned from them the importance of value-adding and waste utilization of rice as a source of additional income besides the commonly known milled rice and palay.
Invited resource persons from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)-10, the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) in Cagayan de Oro City, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bukidnon, and the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO) in Bukidnon also shared their expertise on various topics, specifically the principles and concepts of food safety and good manufacturing practices (GMP), the importance of value-adding and utilization of rice, product labeling and packaging, and comparative costing and pricing to ensure consumer safety and profitability.
“I am amazed by the delicacies that could be produced out of rice (cake, rice blend, noodles, wine, etc.), and I am grateful for the information learned and demonstration conducted during the training. ATI never fails to widen the knowledge and skills of AEWs, and I hope they will never get tired of conducting trainings and many more,” said Methyl Joy P. Habasa, an AEW participant from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Quezon, Bukidnon.
The participants also watched different field demonstrations on how to make Urea Molasses Treated Rice Straw (UMTRS), Carbonized Rice Hull (CRH), and vermicomposting. They also learned how to make rice wine and other tasty foods from rice, as well as how to waste by growing oyster mushrooms and straw mushrooms on rice straws and rice hulls.
The center’s Rice Program and Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF) focal person, Development Management Officer Jhoylie Mae R. Caumban, along with RCEF agent Reymard M. Galarrita, facilitated the aforementioned five-day training. (ATI-10/PIA-10)
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