The Training on Root Crops Processing in Support to Gender and Development (GAD) was successfully conducted on August 2-4, 2017 at San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Pastoral Center, Ampayon, Butuan City.
It aims to enhance the knowledge, attitude and skills of our women farmers with regards to Gender and Development (GAD) through involvement in root crops processing.
It was participated by 28 women from Butuan City, Agusan del Norte with the coordination of the City Agriculture Office of Butuan.
These women were Rural Improvement Club (RIC) members and Barangay Nutrition Scholars who were also farmers planting root crops and were very interested to venture into value-adding processed products as another source of income.
The first day of the training was about Good Manufacturing Practices which was discussed by Ms. Jennifer J. Dejarme, the Senior Science Research Specialist of DOST-Caraga and a member of the Caraga Food Safety Team.
Topics include handwashing, personal hygiene, cross contamination, and food safety hazards. The participants were very delighted upon knowing the practices that will help improve their day-to-day living.
On the other hand, Ms. Carla Jeanne P. Catral discussed the recipes of root crops like Ube Yema, Camote Pie and Taro Fries. She was a successful food entrepreneur whose products were already available in Gaisano and Robinsons Malls-Butuan City. She is one of the speakers on the following day of the said training.
The participants have enjoyed and learned that there are more to root crops rather than selling it fresh on the market. They were toured at ATI-RTC 13 Demo Farm and saw diversified crops and animals.
Ms. Indalecia V. Calo, one of the participants, said that she was very thankful to ATI-RTC 13 for the opportunity that was given to them especially to the women of Butuan City.
“I just thought that I will only get money from selling root crops but there is more to it, processing into value-added products is a good technique as Income Generating Project (IGP) for the women. We thought that making pies and others is difficult but we now know that it was very easy and delicious. Again, I want to thank ATI for this training," Calo said.
From this training, participants were able to learn on the preparation of food wherein food safety should always be considered. Handwashing is one of the most effective way to prevent food contamination. Proper storage of raw and cooked foods in the refrigerator must be practiced to prevent contamination.