The Guimaras State University (GSU) College of Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with the Potato Systems Research and Training Center, Inc. (PSRTC) and the Guimaras Foursquare Gospel Church, conducted a comprehensive training session on Organic Feed Formulation and Utilization in Maabay, Sibunag, Guimaras on June 15, 2023. This initiative is part of the Guimaras Livelihood Empowerment Program (GLEP), which aims to empower local communities through sustainable agricultural practices.
The partnership between PSRTC and the Foursquare Gospel Church was formalized on January 25, 2021, through a memorandum of agreement to provide holistic support to communities and families in the province. In response to a request from Dr. Victoria Demonteverde of PSRTC, GSU CAgS contributed its expertise by facilitating the training for GLEP beneficiaries.
The morning session featured Instructor Erma T. Conde from GSU-Baterna Campus, who specializes in Animal Science. She led discussions on Organic Poultry Production and Feed Formulation, covering the nutritional requirements of poultry at various life stages and highlighting locally available feed ingredients for homemade rations. She emphasized the importance of pellet feeds in enhancing poultry production.
Before the afternoon session commenced, representatives from GSU, the Foursquare Gospel Church, and PSRTC signed a Memorandum of Agreement to formalize their tripartite collaboration, reinforcing their commitment to supporting local livelihoods.
Dr. Julius T. Vergara, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, took the lead in the afternoon session, focusing on Organic Swine Production and Feed Formulation. He introduced participants to various feed sources and methods for solving feed formulation challenges, including the Pearson Square and Trial and Error methods. Dr. Vergara provided a hands-on demonstration of mixing different feed ingredients and operating a pelletizer machine, allowing participants to gain practical experience.
The training concluded with a certificate-awarding ceremony for participants and closing remarks from Instructor Erma T. Conde, who expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts and the successful outcome of the training.
This training not only equipped GLEP beneficiaries with valuable skills in organic feed formulation but also promoted sustainable farming practices, contributing to the overall development of the local agricultural sector.
