TARLAC CITY (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) capacitated a total of 20 farmers in Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac on Engineered Bamboo Product-Making.
These are made by processing raw bamboo into layers, like glue-laminated wood products.
DTI Tarlac Trade-Industry Development Specialist Rhina Galang said the activity aims to introduce new skills to the participants by maximizing available resources in their farms apart from growing usual crops.
“With the abundance of bamboo in Barangay Macaguing, we considered utilizing and developing them into a product. This could add to their income, especially during the lean season or fallow period,” she furthered.
Resource person Mark Augustine Ferrer of Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) Bamboo Research and Training Center shared how to make engineered bamboo from identifying the kind of bamboo to be used to basic finishing techniques.
Moreover, he discussed the process of making bamboo charcoal to maximize the use of bamboo scraps.
Macaguing Primary Multipurpose Cooperative (MPMC) Chairperson Melly Nicolas expressed her gratitude for the new learning acquired by their members.
“We thank DTI for this training as it gave us an idea on what can be done with the bamboo in our area. We are very interested and we look forward to possible interventions and collaborations with TAU,” she said.
MPMC is a group of farmers producing mainly pigmented rice and vegetables.
They are regularly assisted by DTI Tarlac under its Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. (CLJD/GLSB, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
