“It was my first time attending a training outside my province.” This was the confession of Engr. Jostine Marie F. Famudulan, Agricultural Technologist of LGU-San Andres during the Training Course on Rice Grain Drying and Milling Principles and Systems on May 22 – 24, 2019 at ATI, Barcenaga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Engr. Famudalan together with other 24 participants learned the principles and systems of dryers and rice mills as well as basic troubleshooting discussed by Engr. Cristina P. Intong and Engr. Cheri Dawn F. Fradejas from ATI-RTC MiMaRoPa and Engr. Jerald Johvan P. Cataloctocan from DA-Regional Field Office MiMaRoPa.

They also visited the rice processing centers in Bansud and Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro wherein they toured around the facilities and conducted an interview with its operators/managers. They also had the chance to observe actual rice milling operation. Some of the participants also shared their experiences/insights/best practices that could help improve the operation of the rice processing centers.

For their output, the participants were required to keenly observe and took notes for any malfunctions/abnormal operation processes that contribute to postharvest losses. These observations were processed and discussed back at ATI center together with their recommendations for adjustments/corrections to lessen the losses.

After the training, Engr. Famudalan described the training as “Masaya”, “Masarap” and “Sulit". Here’s why: “MASAYA dahil nagkaroon ako ng karagdagang kaalaman about Principles and Systems of Rice Milling and Drying at nagkaroon ako ng mga bagong kakilalang pang-agrikultura. MASARAP dahil sa mga pagkain at sa magandang samahan ng kapwa ko participants. SULIT dahil malayo man po ang aking nilakbay ay sulit naman po dahil dagdag kaalaman sa bawat isa sa amin.

With these experiences, she uttered that the learning gained from the training will not be wasted and surely be disseminated and shared to her community.