The Batanes State College Agriculture Department recently conducted a hands-on training program on Ruminant Production and Machine Operation. The event, which was held on April 28, 2023, at the Agriculture Laboratory Building, aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of local livestock raisers in cattle and goat production, as well as provide basic machine operation training to help them improve their practices in livestock raising.

The training program provided comprehensive lectures and hands-on training on various aspects of cattle and goat production, feed silaging, basic tractor driving, and hand tiller operation. The program was attended by 25 livestock raisers from different barangays of Basco, who were eager to learn new techniques and improve their livestock production skills.

Dr. Rhodora Domingo, the Municipal Agriculturist, expressed her gratitude to the Agriculture Department for accepting the request of the Municipal Agriculturist Office to conduct the training program. She highlighted the significance of the Agriculture Department’s equipment and technical expertise in guiding and improving the practices of livestock raisers in Basco.

During the opening ceremony, the Department Chairperson Mr. Warlito M. Tomas Jr., emphasized that the Agri Department’s facilities and equipment are not only for students but also for local farmers, raisers, and fisherfolks, who are essential stakeholders for the college.

The comprehensive lecture on goat and cattle production was conducted by Mr. Romel A. Raterta, a faculty member, who provided trainees with an in-depth understanding of breeding, herd health management, and other essential aspects of livestock raising. He was followed by Mr. Severino C. Villarta Jr., also a faculty member, who provided hands-on training on machine operation, including do’s and don’ts, in operating farm machinery.

Mr. Arsenio Balmores, one of the trainees, expressed his excitement as he learned a lot on the training conducted… “du uyud a mapia a nanawu kanu kapanirbi su maavid aya klasi nu makina a maypavid kan kapaypasunung du kapayhakaw a uyud nas ichapia du viay nu mayhakaw lalo pa du mananam pa sa awan.”

The training program is part of the BSC Agriculture Department’s commitment to promoting sustainable agribusiness in Batanes and is an indicator of the college’s dedication to providing state-of-the-art facilities and technology transfer essential for farmers and local fisherfolks to thrive.