PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur – Even in this age of modernization and technology advancement, the use of herbal medicine as an alternative is still widely practiced. The growing awareness on the use of natural products or herbal plants as alternative medicines increases the potential of herbal processing as another source of farmers’ income.

This opportunity was given to 25 members of the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) and youth as they took part in the Training on Herbal Processing conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 last October 29-31, 2019 in Hygea IntegraMeds Center.

Dr. Rex T. Linao, Director of the Foundation for the Development of Agusanon, Inc. (FDAI), shared his knowledge on the different medicinal plants approved by the Department of Health (DOH) as well as the common herbal plants in the country and their corresponding uses. He also explained the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act.

As part of the hands-on exercises, Mr. Timoteo Orain, Sr. demonstrated the procedures of making Turmeric Powder, and Lagundi Syrup which were performed by the participants as return-demo. The participants appreciated the potentials of these processed products not only as alternative medicines but also as an additional source of income.

The participants are from San Agustin, Surigao del Sur and San Francisco, Agusan del Sur which are among the areas identified under the Peace and Development Zone.