LOS ANGELES, Butuan City - Looking for possible alternative livelihood and provide home-based business that will augment additional income for the farmers, ATI-Caraga spearheaded the two (2) batches of Skills Training on Cassava Processing and Utilization for cassava growers from the Province of Agusan del Norte.

The training was held at the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 13, Los Angeles, Butuan City on May 27-29, 2019 and May 29-31, 2019, respectively.

Aimed at equipping the participants with the necessary skills and knowledge on cassava, the training also served as an avenue for them to be given possible alternative livelihood opportunities and additional income. Likewise, this training gave way to commercialize and promote the cassava industry as other potential alternative food crops in support to the ultimate goal of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in achieving food sufficiency in the country.

Cassava is known for its nutritional value and potential for value-adding activities. It is considered as the third most important source of calories after rice and corn. It is also vital for commercial animal feed and a rich source of calcium, Vitamins B and C and other essential minerals.

Taking all these nutritive value into consideration, Ms. Imelda O. Pagalan, from Municipal Agriculture Office of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur led the training demo on cassava food processing especially in preparing the common snacks like espasol, binangkal, pitsi-pitsi, pulvoron, chicharon, maja and cassava cake.

Participants were divided into three (3) groups. Each member-participants did the basic steps of measuring, kneading, drying, frying and mixing the ingredients in cooking and preparing the snacks made out of cassava products and by-products.

The 56 cassava growers who participated in the training were very thankful for the learnings and experiences they gained.