TARLAC CITY (PIA) -- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) upgraded the skills of Bacabac Farmers Producers Cooperative of Camiling, Tarlac on creating novelty items and decors using corn husks. 
 
This was through a skills training program organized under the agency’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) which aims to further improve the competitiveness of agrarian reform beneficiaries in the market. 
 
DTI Tarlac Trade-Industry Development Specialist Rhina Villapaña said the activity assisted cooperative members in maximizing approximately 200 sacks of corn husks collected per cropping period. 
 
“This activity hopes to enhance the current skill set of the cooperative members in making corn husk decors for a wider array of products and expanded market reach,” she said. 
 
Under CARP, the beneficiaries were trained on creating new designs, sorting, cutting raw materials, pasting, and forming to produce well-made handicrafts. 
 
As producers of corn, Bacabac Farmers Producers Cooperative started manufacturing corn husk decors in 2019 to turn their waste materials into useful products. 
 
The agency, through its Negosyo Center in the municipality, will continue to monitor and support the skills and business development of the beneficiaries. (CLJD/TJBM-PIA 3)