QUEZON, Bukidnon (PIA)—Seventeen members of Lumintao Farmers and Workers Association (LFWA) and Minongan Farmers Organization (MFO) recently whetted their skills during the Mushroom Spawn Production Training in barangay Lumintao, Quezon, Bukidnon.

Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of the Department of Agriculture-Northern Mindanao (DA-NorMin) said this project is under the DA’s Special Area for Agriculture Development (DA-SAAD) program being facilitated by the department’s Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in support of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

The two farmers’ association-beneficiaries are composed of Quezon town’s former rebels who are currently assisted and guided by the 3rd Infantry Battalion (3IB) of the Philippine Army, headed by Lt. Col. Juvenal Mark Tayamen.

Collado shared that with the joint efforts of DA-SAAD and 3IB, the beneficiaries are now capable of producing their own Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) spawns, which can be a good source of income.

Through the said livelihood training, former rebels can be more dynamic and productive members in their communities, he added. (DA-10/PIA 10-Bukidnon)