Benguet State University (BSU) faculty and students from the CTE-Secondary Laboratory School (CTE-SLS) and the College of Agriculture (CA) participated in the “Skills Training on Fruit and Vegetable Carving and Stakeholder’s Consultation” held at the Chrysanthemum Hall on March 14-15, 2019. The training was organized by the Horticulture Research and Training Institute (HORTI) with the aim to impart basic steps of fruit and vegetable carving and enhance skills of stakeholders for livelihood and business opportunities.

According to Amelia Kimeu, Senior Science Research Specialist who heads the Vegetable Crops Division, they also organized the training to enhance the skills of those who already have knowledge in fruit and vegetable carving such as the horticulture students and other interested individuals.

“Mayat ngay jay training. Na-fulfill kami ken na-inspire gamin nagadu napan. Umipa-ragsak. (The training was good. We feel fulfilled and inspired since many participants came and attended the training skills),” expressed Kimeu.

The training includes a lecture and a demonstration by the resource speaker, Mrs. Nhellie Sab-it, a freelance vegetable and fruit carver. Afterwards, the participants did their own carvings which were evaluated by Mrs. Sab-it.

“Napardas da piman nga maadal jay naisuro kenyada. Kayang kaya da nga tuladen jay inaramid ko nga na-carve ken mas maymayat pay (The participants are fast learners. They were able to imitate the carvings I did, if not better),” said Sab-it.

“Mayat diyay ta mabalin nga pangkabuhayan. Dagijay mothers nga agtrabtrabaho da ket mabalin nga pang side line met lang (The training was helpful because it can be used as livelihood. Working mothers can also have it as a second job),” commented Priscilla Esco, one of the participants. //MALADO, Premalyn D. | Development Communication Intern, photos by PD Malado and Marife Gamongan