MAHINOG, Camiguin (PIA) — A total of 30 participants, including agriculture and fisheries extension workers, aspiring farmers, and fisherfolk processors, completed the recently concluded Training on Food Safety Handling, Packaging, and Labelling held here.
The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) of Camiguin and the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)-10 partnered to organize the event in support of the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES). The training aimed to equip and empower farmers and fisherfolk with small processing businesses to expand their operations and secure accreditation.
The training covered key topics such as food safety handling, food safety hazards, good manufacturing practices, packaging, labeling, and starting a business, with experts from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) leading the discussions.
The participants also took part in a benchmarking activity at Mama Jita’s, a successful LSA processing facility in Mambajao, Camiguin. Mama Jita’s, renowned for its Tablea product now sold in numerous malls across the country, acted as a model for effective food safety handling, packaging, and labeling.
The facility’s owner, Julieta B. Dela Cerna, shared her challenges, successes, and encouraging words, emphasizing how government agencies have played a crucial role in helping her grow her business.
Participants were required to create reentry plans related to the training content within a minimum of six months after the training.
ATI is leading this initiative, which promotes the practical application of the skills and knowledge acquired during training. (ATI-10/PIA-10/Camiguin)
