The Agricultural Training Institute - Central Luzon (ATI-CL) successfully conducted a three-day Training on Product Development for 21 members of the Barangay Calapan Moncada Tarlac Farmers Association, Inc. from May 13 to 15, 2026, in Barangay Calapan, Moncada, Tarlac.
The training aimed to enhance the skills and capabilities of farmers in product development as an additional source of income and livelihood opportunity for rural communities.
The training combined lectures and hands-on demonstrations focused on creating value-added products from high-value crops abundant in the area during the dry season, including tomatoes, bananas, sweet potatoes, mangoes, and chili. Participants learned to produce tomato sauce, banana and kamote chips in five variants, chili paste and sauce, and malunggay noodles.
The products developed during the training were packed and evaluated based on taste, quality, and aesthetic presentation.
Resource persons from the Tarlac Agricultural University College of Food Technology facilitated discussions and demonstrations on product development, while representatives from the College of Business and Management and the College of Arts and Sciences discussed marketing strategies and entrepreneurial skills.
On the first day of the training, Maricar C. Estrada, Instructor I, discussed needs identification, market research, and product innovation under product development.
During the afternoon session, participants prepared their own products such as sweet potato chips, chili sauce, and banana chips under the guidance of Susana D. Ramos, Associate Professor IV.
On the second day, Rizalina M. Tablarin,ย Associate Professor V,ย together with Michael Vincent M. Esteban,ย Instructor I, discussed marketing strategies and assisted participants in developing marketing plans for their products.
One of the participants, Leonida Balisacan, expressed her appreciation for the training.
โAng panalangin po namin ay ang pagiging lalong aktibo sa pagtulong sa aming organisasyon, lalo na sa aming farmers. Dahil ito po ang paraan sa pag-improve ng aming produkto bilang isang magsasaka at makakatulong po kami sa buhay may pamilya dahil sabi nga, โDi lang kami isang nanay, entrepreneur din.โโ
The closing program was graced by Eduardo Balgos Jr., Municipal Agriculturist of Moncada, who emphasized the importance of unity among farmers and encouraged participants to share the skills and knowledge they gained from the training with their respective communities.ย
Balgos also highlighted the importance of involving both farmers and mothers in livelihood activities that contribute to economic growth and community development.
Written by:ย Babelyn P. Lopez
