Monday, January 15, 2007 154 trainings, meetings held last year for abaca growers
THE Fiber Extension and Support Services Unit (Fesu) conducted a total of 108 farmers meetings, 42 trainings, four livelihood programs, and two radio broadcasts for abaca farmers in Davao Region last year.
The activities were considered by the unit as one of its accomplishments in giving extension support and training to farmers in the region.
The farmers meetings were participated by a total of 2,068 fibercrop farmers.
The topics discussed during these meetings included disease eradication and control, abaca production, marketing of fibers, abaca prices, improvement of fiber quality at farmers' level, and rehabilitation and expansion of abaca areas.
Fesu said that most of the meetings were participated by abaca farmers and technicians of local government units.
Meanwhile, a total of 1,345 fibercrop participants for the farmers training were recorded by Fesu last year.
The training provided the abaca fiber grading and classification seminar, the nursery establishment and management, pest and diseases prevention and control, and the abaca production training.
Organizational strengthening seminars were likewise provided to the organized farmers' groups.
A total of 98 farmers regionwide, on the other hand, benefited from the four livelihood trainings conducted by the Fesu. It included the abaca handicraft and novelties production, tinagak making, and sinamay weaving and dyeing technicians.
A program was also aired over local radio to inform abaca farmers regarding the latest prices of abaca fiber, the market situationer and abaca disease control and prevention in which the Fiber Industry Development Authority (Fida) is doing to help farmers increase their income and productivity. (JGRS)
