SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) Mimaropa recently awarded P1.2 million to the Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro to fund specialized training to boost high-value crop production in the province.

According to Engr. Alrizza Zubiri of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), one of the province’s focus will be on the development of onion and cassava in the province, “ ‘Yung fund po ay para sa Occidental Mindoro Agrifishery Extension System. Capability training po iyon para sa mga Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) for cassava and GAP o Good Agricultural Practices for onion.”

Zubiri further explained that the training aims to upskill the AEWs in the province, particularly those who are still learning their field to better help the farmers, “Province-wide po ang training…para yung mga AEW na hindi pa well-equipped, ite-train natin para sila ang mag echo sa mga farmer.”

Additionally, capability buildings for farmers and fisherfolks for onion production will be provided as it one of the prioroty commodity in the province, Zubiri said.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was inked by stakeholders to strengthen the coordination in carrying out grass-roots extension activities in the province. These stakeholders are the Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro, DA MIMAROPA, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Provincial Office, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Office, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Mimaropa, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC) from the academe.

Training is an essential part of extension as it provides opportunities to capacitate farmers on proper cultural management and other aspects of production they are engaged in. Furthermore, it also allows AEWs to bridge new technologies to farmers to improve their yield. (DSG/PIA MIIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)