Government professionalizes farmers skills

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, November 26 (PIA) –-The government starts professionalizing the skills of our farmers by conducting training and assessment.

This was disclosed by TESDA-9 Regional Director Lorenzo Macapili during the closing ceremony of the 5-day Training on Small Engine Servicing on Enhancing Agricultural Productivity through Skills Development jointly conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on November 19-23 at the ATI  Training Center here .

Speaking before a group of 24 small farmers, agricultural technicians, and agriculturists from Zamboanga Peninsula, Macapili said the government has started to professionalize our farmers in their different lines of interest or fields of specialization.

Macapili said the farmer leaders have skills but their skills need to be developed to help raise agricultural productivity. “ They need to undergo further training in skills transfer, demonstration, and learning evaluation,” he added.

The engine repair service,  he said is one of the qualifications that anchored in agri-fishery course and is designed to equip participants with the necessary expertise in machine repair service.

Macapili encouraged the participants to be sincere in their commitment in developing their potentials.

“We encourage you to be sincere in your commitment in developing your potentials through this intensive training. Ultimately, you will be benefited on this training,” Macapili extolled.

He said after the training, participants will undergo a competency and assessment certification by TESDA accredited assessors where those who pass will be issued a national certificate (NC) II.

The issuance of NC II certificate is one way of recognizing the skills of the farmers by the government after long years of cultivating their lands.

Meanwhile, TESDA provincial director Eulalio Lumactod said the knowledge and skills that the participants acquired during the training could be very helpful in mechanizing their work in agriculture and that it will greatly help farm worker’s productivity.  (ALT/GCC/PIA,Pagadian City)