BUTUAN CITY - Espasol, Puto cheese, Pichi-Pichi and Chicharon, these are just some of the Filipino recipes prepared by the participants of the Skills Training on Cassava Processing and Utilization (3rd Batch) on August 15-17, 2018 in ATI-Caraga. The said participants were mostly Cassava farmers from the province of Surigao del Norte.

The training aimed at enhancing the knowledge, attitude and skills of the participants to provide them home-based business which will translate to additional income for the family. Moreover, it also aimed for the participants to be able to identify the different processing methods of Cassava, enumerate the food safety hazards in Cassava processing, discussed the actual problems encountered during processing and how to overcome it, demonstrate the technique and procedures on Cassava processing compliant to food safety standards.

Among the topics discussed during the training included food safety, cross contamination, personal hygiene, Cassava processing technique and hands-on demonstration.

“Dako kaayo akong pasalamat kay daghan kaayo ang akong nahibaluan. Maayo kaayo ilang mga facilities, well-ventilated, aduna pay dormitory ug libre nga masustansya nga pagkaon. Gana pa gyud tanawon ilang palibot kay puno ug mga tanom ug mga livestock. Pero labaw sa tanan, ako gyud nagpasalamat sa akong nahibaluan mahitungod sa Food Safety ug Cassava Processing. Nagpasalamat ko sa Ginoo nga iya kong gigiyahan nga maka-uban ko ani nga seminar diri sa ATI tungod kay dako kaayo kini ug ikatabang sa akong pamilya ilabina sa panginabuhi para makatabang ako sa akong bana sa pagpanginabuhi labi na karon nga nagkataas na ang mga panaliton. Mapasalamaton kaayo ko ug dako nga naay ingon niini nga programa. Daghan kaayo ug Salamat ATI. Keep up the good work,” said Lovie J. Lugait, one of the training participants and teacher from Surigao del Norte. (I am so thankful because I learned a lot. ATI is well-equipped, the training hall is well-ventilated, they have dormitories and they served us with free nutritious food. Their surroundings are also nice to look at. They have a lot of trees, plants and livestock. But most of all, I am grateful for what I know about Food Safety and Cassava Processing. I am grateful to the Lord that He guided me to attend this ATI training because this will be helpful for my family because I will be able to help my husband look for additional income especially now that prices of commodities are on the rise. I am very grateful for this program. Thank you so much ATI. Keep up the good work.)