TESDA to train Leyte IPs on high-value crop farming

TACLOBAN CITY, May 23  -- More ethnic groups in Leyte province will receive formal training on high value crops production, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said on Wednesday.

TESDA Leyte Provincial Director Loreta Banario said they will choose 40 indigenous people (IPs) from the Badjao community in Bato or Isabel town to be trained by Villaconzoilo Farm School based in Villaconzoilo village, Jaro, Leyte.

“Personnel from TESDA Leyte will visit their communities to talk with them and ask if they are interested to acquire farm production training,” Banario said. “We cannot force them to be trained on agriculture because we don’t want to waste funds on skills training not of their interest.”

Leyte has two Badjao communities. The first settlement was established in Dolho village in Bato town in a land provided by the local government. The community has 600 members.

The second Badjao community with 300 residents was established in 1985 in Marvel village in Isabel town.

Residents in both communities rely on fishing as their main source of income though some are into begging, which is prohibited by the government.

Last week, at least 50 Mamanwa tribe members living in the upland Kagbana village in Burauen town received a certificate from TESDA for finishing organic farming training.

The trainees, composed of 31 women and 19 men, finished the 10-day training on producing the organic vegetable leading to organic agriculture -- National Certificate II.
After the training, tribe members also received agricultural tool kits, seeds and cash assistance worth PHP5,000 as start-up capital to organize a cooperative. (RTA/PNA)