NIA and TESDA-CAR join forces in training Cordilleran farmer irrigators to become entrepreneurs

Tabuk City, Kalinga – With the recent tandem of the National Irrigation Administration-CAR and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority -CAR for the training of irrigators across the region, more income may be expected by farmers from the skills and knowledge they will get.

The move was done following the success of the implementation of the TUPAD program specifically designed for Cordillera irrigators which augmented their income. The agency said this year it is partnering with the TESDA to further aid the farmers to become entrepreneurs.

In an interview, Mylene Malecdan, Public Relations Officer of NIA-Cordillera, disclosed that the agency allocated P264,130.00 for trainings. TESDA-Cordillera, for their part, will provide trainers from their agency during the implementation of the program.

“Ang objective kasi ni NIA Administrator Eddie Guillen is to enable IAs to become key players of the entire value chain, from production to marketing para sila na mismo ang magbenta ng sarili nilang produce,” Malecdan said.

She added Cordilleran irrigators were given the privilege to suggest the skills trainings they want to undergo.

The trainings include Muscovado Processing Training for Abra, Manicure and Pedicure Training for Apayao, Food Processing by fermentation and pickling for Benguet, Training on Cake and Pastries for Kalinga, Season-Long Rice Production in Ifugao and Liquid Soap Making for Mountain Province.

The implementation of the program is now ongoing in La Trinidad, Benguet as 15 irrigators are now being trained in mixed and individual vegetable pickling and kimchi-making.

Earlier this month, irrigators from Kibungan, Benguet were likewise trained in strawberry processing.

These trainings for Benguet will aid them in case of oversupply of vegetables as the skills they would learn will enable them to process vegetables for home consumption or even for their business enterprise.

Meantime, for other provinces, training schedules are yet to be announced by the agency.