𝐃𝐀-𝐑𝐀𝐄𝐃, 𝐒𝐀𝐀𝐃, 𝐎𝐀𝐏 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐎&𝐌 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫, 𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥
To fuel up the adeptness of farmer beneficiaries in the effective utilization of agricultural machinery for production and delivery of services, the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (DA-RAED) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 12, in collaboration with the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program and Organic Agriculture Program (OAP), conducted Operations and Maintenance (O&M) training for various Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) within the SOCCSKSARGEN region.
This training was held at the Tupi Research and Experiment Station, Brgy. Bololmala, Tupi, South Cotabato, on August 13, 2024.
A total of ten (10) FCAs received training on the operation and maintenance of corn shellers under the SAAD program, while one (1) Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) from South Cotabato received training on the hammer mill under the OAP.
The training aimed to equip beneficiaries with the skills to assess the mechanism, materials, and accessories of the corn sheller and hammer mill, understand manufacturer’s specifications, evaluate the performance of the agricultural machinery, and assess the handling ease and safety features.
Engr. Edvin B. Dellomes from the Program and Project Management Section (PPMS)- RAED and Engr. Julmar Ian Mentoy, a GIP Intern of DA-RAED 12, Engr. Archie Dela Cruz from the OAP, along with personnel from the SAAD Program, facilitated the training. The activities included discussions on warranty schemes, operational and maintenance concepts, implementation of maintenance activities for both the corn sheller and hammer mill, and practical demonstrations of the agricultural machinery.
Rey M. Domingo, Chief of the Agricultural Program Coordinating Office (ACPCO) in Cotabato Province, and Jocelyn S. Misterio, Chief of the Agricultural Program Coordinating Office (ACPCO) in Sarangani Province and General Santos City also attended the event.
The following Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations received training in the basic operation and maintenance of corn shellers:
1. SITIO SABAAN PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT FARMERS ASSOCIATION
2. BUKLOD WOMENS ASSOCIATION
3. NAGPAN FARMERS ASSOCIATION
4. SITIO MUDTI SALATAN MANOBO DULANGAN RURAL WORKER’S ASSOCIATION
5. RIVERA PALAY FARMERS ASSOCIATION
6. I LOVE TAMPAKAN ALBAGAN HIGHLANDS FARMERS ASSOCIATION
7. SITIO LAMKLING COMMUNITY FARMERS ASSOCIATION
8. KISABAO BANGSAMORO FARMERS ASSOCIATION
9. MACOL INTEGRATED FARMERS ASSOCIATION
10.BADAK UNITED FARMERS ASSOCIATION