A three-day training on rattan production and management will be given to farmers from upland communities by the Provincial Environment Management Office at Mambukal Resort, Murcia, starting today.

Environment Management Specialist-II Luisa Tutor said that 30 farmers will be trained on the status of rattan forest resources, their characteristics and their uses.

Farmers will learn the procedures on establishing a rattan nursery, she said.

The training will enable the farmers to describe and demonstrate rattan plantation management, operation and harvesting procedures, and the specific laws and regulations in dealing with minor forest products, she added.

Training preliminaries and the training proper will be given by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 Regional Technical Director Conrado Marquez, Neil Gigare and Neg. Occ. Department of Trade and IndustryActing Divisions Chief Engiemar Tupas.

The selected farmers from Silay, Kabankalan, Ilog, La Castellana, Murcia, Talisay, Isabela, Cadiz, Sipalay, Calatrava, Hinoba-an, Candoni, Cauayan, Salvador Benedicto and San Carlos are part of the Integrated Social Forestry Project.

Based on the project's rationale, Negros Occidental implemented Rattan Growing Project last 1998, 2002 and 2005 purposely for environmental protection; to date, an estimated 196, 980 poles of rattan are ready for harvest and farmers need skills and knowledge in harvesting, processing, utilization and marketing of rattan products.

It was also said that the participants need to secure permits from the DENR for non-violation of Sec. 68 of PD 605 as amended.

The training is just one of the many programs prepared by PEMO for the farmers in the upland communities, Tutor said.* KDP

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