DA Caraga
capacitates farmers to boost soybean industry
BUTUAN
CITY -- Recognizing the significant role of the farmers in boosting the soybean
industry in the region, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga through the
High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) conducted a two-part training on
Soybean Processing System last July 13 and 14, and Capability Building for
Small-Scale Farmers on Enterprise Development on July 21 and 22.
The
training on Soybean Processing aims to promote the value-adding products of
soybean and develop a group of soybean farmers into productive soybean
entrepreneurs. The topics discussed included Soybean and their Health Benefits, Soybean Based Value Added Products and their Return
of Investment, and Food
Manufacturing Practices for Food Processing and Proper Hygiene. There
were also actual demonstrations of soybean processing.
The
training on Enterprise Development aims to help farmers understand the basic
principles in Enterprise Development. Topics including Concept in
Agripreneurship, Farming as a Business, Marketing Plan, and Business Model
Canvass were discussed by personnel from the DA-Caraga’s Agribusiness and
Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).
The
trainings were conducted in Trento, Agusan del Sur and were participated by 25
members of the United Farmers’ Association of Cebolin (UFAC), a group
composed of farmers engaged in soybean production since 1986.
The
association has 10.9 hectares planted with soybean. One hectare is planted with
the Manchuria variety while the rest are planted with Tudela Black variety.
DA-Caraga
Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo said that soybean is one
of the region’s banner commodities.
“Empowering
the farmers through technical assistance and other interventions is one of the
keys to a progressive farming industry,” he said.
Other interventions of the DA-Caraga to soybean farmers and organizations are seeds, fertilizers, and post-harvest machinery. (Vanessa P. Sanchez/DA 13-RAFIS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
