Innovative ways of squash utilization introduced for livelihood in CamSur

LIVELIHOOD TRAINING. Camarines Sur Gov. Migz Villafuerte and the provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in partnership with the DA Regional Field Office Region V assembled over 70 participants from far flung barangays in Sipocot, Lupi, Ragay, and Del Gallego for the conduct of the Training on Zero Waste Squash Utilization wherein the focus was on the innovative utilization of squash to produce nutritious bi-products such as donuts, lumpia, empanada, and polvoron made from squash vegetable. jmts/rbmjr/mmec102319 with photos from fb_GovMigzVillafuerte

The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office Region V (DA RFO 5), in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur through the Office of Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), conducted a training on Zero Waste Squash Utilization on October 17, 2019 in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur.

Over 70 participants from Del Gallego, Ragay, Lupi, and Sipocot attended the training focused on introducing the proper ways to utilize squash by producing income-generating, innovative, and nutritious products made of squash. Four recipes of squash were taught during the training, namely squash donuts, squash lumpia, squash empanada, and squash polvoron.

“I attended this training program because I know that it will be beneficial to me. Also, as a youth leader, I can share to my fellow youth all the knowledge and experience that I learned today. I was able to see the importance of zero waste squash utilization, especially the peelings and seeds. I was also able to learn different recipes that can be a source of livelihood. I am really grateful for this opportunity to learn through this training,” shared Ada Joy Lagada from Ragay, Camarines Sur.

During its peak season, the price of squash is low. To help increase the profit of the farmers, this is the technology and innovation that DA RFO 5 developed that can be used to produce food or other products that can be sold in the market. The training also highlighted the significance of alleviating malnutrition through these products. Children, especially those who are not eating vegetables like squash, will be able to enjoy eating it because of the food technology innovations.

“We conducted this training for the women living in far flung areas so that they can be reached by the services of the local government, especially our livelihood trainings. They were chosen to be the participants to have access to this new innovation to help them have a source of livelihood and at the same time, alleviate the cases of malnutrition in their locality,” explained Arlene De Asis, Chief of Regional Food Lab of DA RFO 5.

A training on zero waste squash utilization was also conducted in Pasacao on October 15, 2019 while training on mushroom culture and production was conducted on October 18, 2019 in Ocampo, Camarines Sur. These were among the innovative livelihood trainings being introduced and conducted by DA. The provincial government is also committed in bringing these trainings closer to Camarinenses to improve the province’s nutritional and economic status especially in far flung areas of the province.