BRGY. BAYANIHAN, Butuan City – Since mechanization is one pathway to agricultural development, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 conducted Training of Trainers (TOT) on Drying and Milling Services (DMPS) for Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) on October 24-28, 2022 at the MSC Center for the Poor this city.

 The training aimed to capacitate AEWs and operators/technicians with the skills and knowledge in the operation, maintenance, and management of drying and milling facilities.

During the training, the participants were able to discuss the basic safety protocol and procedures for operating the drying and milling facilities, discuss the concept of drying and milling and its importance, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different drying and milling methods and its system, diagnose grains drying and milling plant facilities, demonstrate repair and maintenance of grain drying and milling facilities; and perform post-servicing activities.

 On the fourth day, the participants went to the Santo Niño Multi-Purpose Cooperative to conduct an actual demonstration of grain drying, operations, management, and maintenance. They also went to Barangay Lemon to conduct an actual demonstration of grain drying, operations, management, and maintenance with corn milling.

Jandy Eric Bordaje of Agusan del Sur was thankful for the invitation to attend the training. “This is a great training for us AEWs, especially that for the next three years, 20% of our programs and targets will be focusing on agricultural processing facilities.”

There were 22 participants in the training who came from various provinces of the region.