Participants are making banana chips
CEBU. A three-day Training on Banana Processing with Emphasis on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Food Safety was held on May 3-5, 2023, at Cocohub, Lamac Multi-purpose Cooperative in Mohon, Colonia, Tuburan, Cebu. The training had participants coming from the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, and Negros Oriental. A total of 19 agricultural extension workers and farmer leaders completed the training.
The training aimed to enhance the knowledge, attitude, and skills of participants on banana processing technology with a particular emphasis on GMP and food safety protocols. By the end of the training, participants were expected to have learned about GMP, different food safety protocols, the significance of post-harvest processing, demonstrated the banana post-harvest processing, and crafted a doable re-entry plan.
Participants expressed their satisfaction with the training, Kevin Gasatan, an instructor at Bohol Island State University, shared how he appreciated the facilitators' kindness and the resource persons' willingness to share their expertise. Furthermore, he praised the training venue's food and accommodation, recommending it as an ideal place as a training venue.
Another participant, Helen Marabulas, an agriculture technician from LGU-Dagohoy, emphasized the training's practicality, particularly in the safe preparation of food. Helen commended the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center 7 staff, Lamac MPC management, and resource persons for their support throughout the training. She also expressed her hope that ATI could conduct more training sessions like this in the future.
Everperlie Vicente, a farmer-leader from BELA-Tuburan, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the training. She described the training as a great help to their livelihood, as it provided additional knowledge in banana processing, which could generate more income for their group. Moreover, she was astounded by the hospitality of the Lamac community and their comfortable training venue, summing it up as an excellent experience overall.
Overall, the training was an intensive and informative workshop that enhanced participants' knowledge and skills in banana processing technology. The training also fostered a sense of togetherness among the participants and provided a platform for sharing knowledge among each other.
