TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite - The Agricultural Training Institute Region IV-A conducted two batches of "Cassava Production and Food Processing Training" for farmer leaders, Rural-Based Organization (RBO) members and some Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs).

The training aims to motivate the participants to start a home-based business as additional income for their families. Participants experienced preparing, baking and cooking cassava recipes such as suman, cake, pichi-pichi, chips, fries and burger and egg roll.

Ms. Evangeline Bautista, a participant from Calamba City shares how the training would help her jumpstart a small business. "Magkakaron na ako ng pandagdag na income at sisiguraduhin ko pong gagawa ako ng 'signature product' from cassava na kikilalanin sa aming bayan," she said.

Experts from Calamba City Agriculture Office also discussed the characteristics, varieties and uses of cassava and its management practices from land preparation, fertilizer application to post and harvesting practices.

A farmer herself from Mabitac, Laguna, Ms. Maning Avelina says that she is also eager to produce cassava in her area. "Natutunan namin kung paano ang tamang estilo o pamamaraan ng pagtatanim ng cassava pati na mais," she shared.

She added, "Maraming natalakay na pamamaraan upang mas mapadali ang pag-aani ng cassava, may nalaman kaming bagong kagamitan upang hindi maging mahirap para sa magtatanim ang pag-aani ng mga ito."

The trainings were held in Mabitac, Laguna on May 15-17, 2019 and Los Baños, Laguna on May 22-24, 2019 respectively.