“Nais kong ipaabot ang aking pasasalamat sa Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), sa mga kinatawan ng Munisipyo at Probinsya, lalo na sa aming mga Resource Speakers. Talaga pong masasabi ko na "mission accomplished". Matagumpay po ang lahat. Gamitin natin ang ating natutunan, palakihin at alagaan nang maayos ang ating mga alagang baka.”
Ms. Remedios Robles conveyed this message on behalf of the Kaganhao Farmers Association after completing the “Training on Beef Cattle Production and Enterprise Development” on March 13-15, 2024, in Brgy. Kaganhao, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque.
Over the course of three days, Mr. Emmanuel D. Mago, Assistant Professor IV at Cavite State University, and Ms. Alma L. Manalo, Training Specialist II at the Agricultural Training Institute in MIMAROPA, served as resource speakers. The members of the association acquired knowledge through lectures on the beef cattle industry in the Philippines, beef cattle production technologies and practices, the breeding system, and the significance of record-keeping.
For hands-on activities, they also gained practical skills in making feed supplements for cattle, such as Urea Molasses Mineral Block (UMMB), and in preparing silage. It was emphasized that livestock farmers must learn to make UMMB because it is crucial for the growth of ruminants, and silage preparation helps them save on feed costs, particularly during drought seasons when resources for the animals are scarce.
To show her support, Ms. Susana Uy, Assistant Provincial Agriculturist of the Provincial Agriculture Office (OPAg) – Marinduque, attended the closing program of the activity. In her message, she urged the participants to put into practice what they had learned and disseminate it to others.
A total of 26 participants successfully graduated from the training, comprising 20 farmers from Kaganhao Farmers Association, four (4) Agricultural Extension Workers from OPAg-Marinduque, and two (2) other stakeholders from Marinduque State College and the Agricultural Programs Coordinating Office of Marinduque.
