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Cebu News

Youths undergo training to become farmers

Caecent No-ot Magsumbol - The Freeman
This content was originally published by The Freeman following its editorial guidelines. Philstar.com hosts its content but has no editorial control over it.
Youths undergo training to become farmers
Farmers in Pangasinan begin preparing their fields on January 2, 2025.
STAR / Andy Zapata Jr.

CEBU, Philippines — With the average age of farmers in the country right now being 58, the Department of Agriculture is set on training youths for agri-preneurship.

Late last week, Department of Agriculture’s Central Visayas office initiated a two-day training on swine and poultry management practices and biosecurity measures here.

Some 22 youngsters from three different provinces of the region joined the training conducted by DA-7 via its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD). The training was aimed to equip the youth with knowledge on various agricultural technologies and prepare them to become agripreneurs.

Agri-preneurship is defined as the production and selling of agricultural goods and inputs by entrepreneurs.

AMAD's Agribusiness Industry Support chief Anna Delza Barimbao said there is strong market demand for diversified, integrated crops and livestock enterprises, including poultry and swine practices in livestock and poultry management.

Along with this, the objectives, advantages, and challenges of swine farming and the "Triangle of Success" in livestock production --nutrition, genetics, and management-- was also taught.

Dr. Verna Agriam, a veterinarian, presented the Animal Welfare Act (Republic Act 8485) and the requirements for farm registration as an overview of essential biosecurity protocols to help prevent disease outbreaks. She emphasized that animal welfare covers both the physical and psychological well-being of animals.

The Regional Feed Chemical Analysis Laboratory’s officer-in-charge, Shyrra Lara discussed the importance of feed formulation. This as feed formulation accounts for around 70% of production expenses in livestock and poultry farming.

Proper feed formulation ensures a balanced nutrition at a minimum cost using appropriate nutrient sources, Lara said.

Participants were also encouraged to prioritize feed safety measures and feed formulation. Practical methods in feed formulation including the Pearson Square and the trial-and-error methods were also taught to participating youths.

Other topics for discussed were about biosecurity protocols, alignment of good animal and husbandry practices for livestock and poultry production for enterprise development, and animal regulations and protocols.

Meanwhile, DA-7 and conducted a two-day Vegetable Production and Capability Training for the senior citizens and person with disabilities from Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu City, as part of the High Value Crops Development Program Week and Filipino Food Month.

Participants engaged in interactive discussions on topics to include cultural management for vegetable production by Clarissa Jamillo of DA-7's Bohol Experiment Station.

Identification of major pests and diseases and effective management strategies and social preparation and capability building were also done.

"This is a one-of-a-kind training specially designed for you. So let's learn together, let's grow together, and let's empower everyone to make a difference. Remember that even the smallest seed of effort can cause something very amazing. If we plant diligence, we will harvest hope," said DA-7 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Wilberto Castillo.

Aside from the new knowledge, participants received vegetable seeds, Information, Education, and Communication materials, and certificates after the seminar.

In Bohol, DA-7 also provided an agro-enterprise training for Composting Facility for Biodegradable Waste. The training was intended to equip the farmers with knowledge on the use of composting facilities and machinery on how to manage biodegradable waste. — (FREEMAN)

FARMERS

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