Jimenez, Misamis Occidental---Ensuring health and wellness among consumers from all walks of life, a Training on Calamansi Processing transpired to help combat the effects of Covid-19. The said training and extension initiative which is focused on the marginalized group of the Municipality of Jimenez intends to produce calamansi juice, concentrates and other calamansi-based products.

Rich in vitamin C and high in antioxidant properties, calamansi juice is one of the highly recommended fruit juices to help boost our immune system. Similarly, topics and hands-on in processing salabat and turmeric were included as it was observed that ginger and turmeric plants are abundant in the area.

Amid the covid-19 pandemic and the flu season, ensuring quality sleep, exercise and regularly washing one’s hands are vital to improving our immune system. When it comes to food, knowing what nutrients we need to fortify our health can make all the difference.

A total of 20 participants attended the training in which 15 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) were from the Subanen Tribe. The rest of the participants were from the Department of Education (DepEd), Provincial Agriculture Office-Oroquieta City (PAO-Oroquieta City) and, Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) operators.

“As a first timer in this kind of training, I am thankful first to God for the owner of Vima’s Agriventure and for making it our venue, the resource persons and through the Agricultural Training Institute personnel for they are the reason why I am experiencing this kind of training. I have learned a lot of things such as; making salabat and turmeric as well as calamansi processing. I also learned the importance in implementing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and personal hygiene in relation to food safety. I have learned also the proper packaging and labelling of products to catch the eyes of the costumers. And also the secrets to financial prosperity that it not only takes the knowledge and hard work but the most important is the attitude and not forgetting God so that it will lead us to prosperity.” says Mabeth G. Balo of Matugas Bajo in Jimenez during the sharing of learning insights.

The participants were able to (1.) learn post-handling practices of calamansi; (2.) discuss the basics on GMP implementation in relation to Food Safety; (3.) discuss the basic steps in processing of calamansi fruits; (4.) learn proper product packaging and labelling; (5.) perform simple cost and return analysis; (6.) make a marketing plan; and (7.) enumerate the requirements in setting up a business.
Farm-owner Vima M. Bolanio of Vima’s Agriculture served as the resource person. As a Learning Site (LS) cooperator of the center, Ms. Bolanio is a credible speaker in terms of food processing and food handling. Her food products are regularly displayed at the one-stop shop in their municipality.

After the training, all of the 20 participants received one set of bottled calamansi concentrate, 200 grams (packed) of salabat and turmeric powder from their training output. The participants will also be receiving extension support from the fund of the Organic Agriculture Program of the center as starter kit. Each of them will be receiving a lemon squeezer; kitchen knife and a casserole.
The training transpired on May 19-21, 2021 at Vima’s Agriventure, Matugas Bajo, Jimenez, Misamis Occidental. (with reports from Javier P. Andalan, Agriculturist II)