Abucay farmers receive free training on bamboo plantation

Contributed by Mar Jay S. Delas Alas, PIA-Bataan

ABUCAY, Bataan – About 27 farmers from this town recently participated in a two-day Capability Building on Bamboo Nursery and Plantation Technology at the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) Abucay Campus.

The technical assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bataan is part of their economic plan to promote bamboo as an income-generating industry in the province.

“The training will provide farmers more opportunities to develop the bamboo industry in their areas,” DTI Bataan Planning Officer Teresita Magtanong said.

The activity included lectures and hands-on training on bamboo propagation techniques such as branch and culm cutting.

Dr. Edmundo Baccay, a bamboo expert from Tarlac Agricultural University, served as the trainer during the activity.

Participating farmers are members of the Bangkal Bataan Upland Farmers Association Inc. (BBUPFAI) in barangay Bangkal of this town.

DTI will also commit to provide further trainings to the farmers on producing novelty items made from bamboo.

“We are thankful to DTI and also to BPSU for providing us with technical assistance on the proper ways of bamboo propagation. We can now use this knowledge to expand our farm which would help our farmers earn more on bamboo production,” BBUFAI Chairperson Merly Meru said.