Pinoys in Taiwan to learn organic farming

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos in Taiwan will soon undergo free training in organic farming, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) said over the weekend.

MECO chairman Silvestre Bello said it is launching the first ever training program in organic farming for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), immigrants and students in Taiwan as part of the Philippine government’s thrust to boost local agricultural production in the country.

“We have introduced a program to equip our OFWs, as well as our Filipino immigrants and students in Taiwan, with skills in modern organic farming so that they may use them when they return to the Philippines,” Bello said.

“In this manner, perhaps slowly, we hope to contribute to increasing our domestic food production and improve the lives of our OFWs, immigrants and students once they are back in the country,” he added.

The first batch of trainees – 15 OFWs and nine immigrants and students – underwent a two-day experiential training at a farm in Kaohsiung City.

OFWs who participated are mostly from the manufacturing sector.

The training provided an immersive and hands-on experience in agricultural technologies, education and entrepreneurship.

Bello said the training program is a joint undertaking of MECO’s Kaohsiung Extension Office and the Migrant Workers Office in partnership with Kaohsiung-based AgriGaia Social Enterprise International Ltd.

Ma. Karina Trayvilla of MECO-Kaohsiung said the training was the fruition of an agreement signed by Bello and AgriGaia in September last year to help boost local food production.