BUTUAN CITY – A total of 27 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and farmers from Caraga participated in the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Milk Processing and Management for Goat and Cattle held on August 25-29, 2025, at CountryFields Agri in Barangay Tungao.

The training, conducted under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), was designed to capacitate local resource persons who will share their knowledge with fellow farmers. It also aimed to address challenges such as milk spoilage, while promoting value-adding enterprises in the region.

Participants gained insights into the status of the Philippine dairy industry, the nutritional and economic importance of milk, and the fundamental components that determine milk quality. They were also equipped with skills in assessing and maintaining quality standards, as well as basic business and marketing strategies for starting and sustaining milk-based enterprises.

Topics covered during the sessions included Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), food safety, dairy animal management, breed selection, milk composition and quality, packaging and labeling, milk testing, and recordkeeping.

In addition to lectures, participants engaged in hands-on training on milking techniques and the processing of pasteurized milk, flavored milk, yogurt, milk bars, and white cheese. The group also visited Matu Farm in Barangay Bonbon, Butuan City, where they were introduced to a coconut-livestock integration farming system, providing them with practical exposure to sustainable and diversified farming approaches.

“Through this training, I am deeply inspired to pursue my dream of having my own farm, producing fresh milk, and developing different value-added products. This training opened a big opportunity for us – not only to start our own agribusiness but also to share this knowledge with other deserving farmers in our community,” said Rutchelle Rose Urbiztondo, one of the participants from Cantilan, Surigao del Sur.