CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) – At least 62 corn farmers from the towns of Quezon and Sta. Maria in Isabela completed a three-day training on corn-based product development, organized by the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) Region 2.
Clarise Alaska, Training Center Director, explained that the training was designed to enhance the participants’ knowledge and skills in creating value-added food and non-food products from corn. The goal was to teach product development techniques that can be applied to corn-based products.
Alaska emphasized that Isabela is the country’s leading corn producer, making it crucial to provide farmers with the skills to process raw corn into a variety of processed foods. The training is part of an effort to expand market opportunities for corn and to encourage farmers to explore new ways of using the crop.
The program featured a dynamic mix of interactive discussions, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities, all aimed at fostering creativity and innovation among the participants.
Among the products developed during the training were flower bouquets made from corn husks, offering a cost-effective way to repurpose what was once considered waste. Other items included various corn-based food products such as corniks, tortillas, corn crackers, and corn noodles—tailored specifically for local markets and the farmers’ capabilities.
Ronila Ventura, a participant from Santa Maria, Isabela, expressed her gratitude for the training and highlighted how it broadened her understanding of corn products.
“Natuto po akong gumawa ng bulaklak mula sa balat ng mais, at natutunan ko rin kung paano ang tamang proseso ng paggawa ng kornik,” Ventura shared.
(I learned how to make flowers from corn husks and process corniks properly.)
She added that the knowledge she gained will help her generate additional income for her family and enable her to share these valuable skills with her community. (OTB/MGE/PIA Isabela)
