NASIPIT, Agusan del Norte - The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center 13 (ATI-RTC) 13, in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte had conducted two-day “Cassava Production and Value-Adding Seminar” on April 26 - 27, 2021. This was participated by fifteen (15) women from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.

Ms. Jennifer Dejarme of the Department of Science and Technology-Caraga shared her topics on proper hand washing and food hazards through a pre-record video presentation. She elaborated the four hazards that would cause contamination of the food produced or processed. These are biological, chemical, physical and allergenic. She highlighted that to control hazards, proper hand washing and wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) are both required.

Ms. Imelda Pagalan, retired Municipal Tourism Officer in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur imparted her knowledge and skills on the different cassava delicacies. She also discussed the health benefits of eating cassava. Fifteen participants were able to present their cassava processed products as outputs such as Cassava pichi-pichi, Cassava Cake, Cassava Upside-Down Cake, Cassava One Egg Cake, Cacharon, Cassava Binangkal, Cassava Bread and Cassava Espasol.

Enrico Corvera, Mayor of the host municipality graced the activity and shared words of encouragement to the participants. He hoped that Nasipit would be a food sufficient municipality and through the seminar cassava is no longer a cassava but a food with value in its delicacies.

Replicating all learnings in the training was the highlight feedback from participants. With their eagerness, they would start to engage business in their respective homes (with reports from CMuga).