The training was conducted from October 14 to 16, 2009 at the PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool (NHGP) in the Science City of Muñoz.
Through the SPT, the CBED coordinators were primed to have a common dispersal scheme for the imported buffaloes which are to be entrusted only to qualified farmer-recipients.
The SPT specifically aimed to develop a common understanding on the CBED framework among CBED coordinators, enhance their capability to conduct SPT to select smallhold farmers in preparation for the arrival of the 2,000 buffaloes and other dairy buffalo modules to be created, and draw out best techniques in the conduct of SPT.
The participants were likewise trained to have a socio-economic development mindset which will engage them to be proactive frontliners in the development of carabao-based enterprises in their respective areas of concern.
The SPT was conducted in line with PCC’s recognition of the importance of capacitating its workforce to be able to fast-track efforts of transforming smallhold farmers to be entrepreneurs.
“It was a collective effort to fast-track our purpose of helping farmers generate their own income by assisting them toward entrepreneurship,” PCC executive director Dr. Libertado Cruz said.
He added, “PCC is neither AI nor bull loan program; the PCC program is to develop enterprises for the greater stake of smallhold farmers.”
Dr. Cruz said that after the SPT, the partners in the industry are expected to strengthen capabilities because PCC will definitely have a hard time reaching its goals without its able partners.
The methodologies used in the training included problem-solving, experience-sharing and interaction between lecturers and participants, and practicum or demonstration.
The participants’ exercise included a mock SPT using the SPT manual and training materials in front of their co-participants who will acted as the farmer-applicants. Through this activity, weak areas in the delivery of SPT was improved and a uniform SPT presentation was developed.
The 18 participants to the training were from the PCC networks at CLSU, UPLB, DMMMSU, CSU, MMSU, NIZ, and NHGP. The resource persons and facilitators were from the PCC NHGP and PCC at UPLB.
Dr. Cruz commended the Operations Group, the implementing unit for the conduct of the said training course, led by Dr. Anabelle Sarabia for being a strong core group responsible for making the important end goals of PCC realized.
