The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 1 (DA-RFO1), through the Gender and Development (GAD) Unit conducted eight ( 8 ) batches of two-day training on mushroom production across the Ilocos Region during the month of August entitled, “Empowering Rural Women in Agriculture Sector Through Training on Participatory Community Mushroom Production.”

The trainings were held in the following dates: August 6-9, 13-16, 19-22, and 27-30, 2024 held for the Cervantes Mushroom Growers and Processors Association of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur; Darasdas Rural Improvement Club of Solsona, Ilocos Norte; San Isidro Cacao Producers Association of Naguilian, La Union; Green Ladies Association of District 2 (GLAD2) of Burgos, La Union; Canarem Rural Improvement Club of Natividad, Pangasinan; Wonder Mom Rural Improvement Club of San Fabian, Pangasinan; Urdaneta City Federated Rural Improvement Club and Sulong Asinan Rural Improvement Club of Bugallon, Pangasinan, respectively.

Out of the 176 total number of participants, 156 were women and 20 were men who all actively took part in the training discussions and hands-on demonstration activity.

The training provided an avenue for cooperatives and associations to earn additional income through mushroom production.

Ms. Veberly Jubilo Uyaan, Owner of Vel Sierra Integrated Farm and this year’s Region I Outstanding Rural Women winner who will compete in the national level search, served as resource speaker.

She shared her expertise on mushroom production where she discussed the following topics: Introduction to mushroom production; mixing and composting; bagging; pasteurization; planting; incubation; hanging; and management and maintenance of the mushroom.

The activity aims to empower rural women economically, socially, and environmentally leading to improved livelihoods, enhanced well-being and sustainable development in rural areas.###