A total of 21 farmer-cooperators of different learning sites for agriculture (LSAs) and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in Region 1 completed the Training of Trainers on Dairy Cattle Farm Operation and Management conducted from August 28 to September 1, 2023 at the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 1 (DA-ATI-RTC 1), Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan.
The said training enabled its participants to understand the economic opportunities of coconut-dairy cattle farm activities; explain forage and pasture development; demonstrate dairy cattle husbandry and milking practices; and perform forage and pasture preservation techniques. These were to set them to becoming effective and efficient trainers of the same course during farmer-level trainings.
Among the seasoned resource persons who facilitated the sharing of knowledge during a series of lectures and discussions were from the National Dairy Authority (NDA) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). To maximize the learning opportunity of the participants, a field tour with various hands-on demonstration activities were conducted at the different sites. An actual milking activity was held at the Bantog Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Bantog, Asingan, Pangasinan while milk testing was done at the Dairy Box Asingan, Pangasinan. The Balungao Integrated Farm in Balungao, Pangasinan hosted the forage processing and silage making activities of the participants.
Collaborating with the NDA and PCA, the five-day training is among the commitments of DA-ATI-RTC 1 under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) to produce trainers for coconut farmers to strengthen their farm enterprise development undertakings.
