Preparing for their upcoming retirement, 10 senior citizens and person with disabilities (PWDs) of the Department of Agriculture in Ilocos Region employees joined the Training on Mushroom Production cum demo on mushroom processing sponsored by the Field Operations Division under its Institutional Development Section (IDS).

Recently held at the DA-RFO I Pantry on October 6-7, 2022 the training program is part of the capability enhancement training for senior citizens and PWDs being conducted by the DA in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Aimed at capacitating the senior citizens and PWDs to become self-reliant individuals while providing them livelihood opportunities for an added income on their retirement, the training provided a hands-on demo on mushroom processing on various dishes and delicacies.

Ms. Lumen Bugaoan, a Food Technologist of DA-RFO I served as the resource person of the two-day training who provided them the skills, techniques and knowledge on how to prepare mushroom ice cream, crispy mushroom, siomai, embutido using the mushroom as the main ingredient.
As part of the training process, Ms. Bugaoan also discussed the concept on food safety which provides the trainers better understanding on the importance of proper handling and processing of food products.

For other alternative livelihood opportunities, Ms. Timmy Manzon, Science Research Assistant of the Pangasinan Research & Experiment Center in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan also discussed the topic on care and management of mushroom.

To apply the skills and knowledge they acquired in the training, DA will be providing start-up kit where 1000 pieces’ mushroom fruiting bags will be equally distributed for the participants to start their own mushroom enterprise.###