The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) partnered with Fundación de Religiosos para la Salud (FRS) and Cooperación Española (COA), and the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office V (DA-RFO V) in conducting the Livelihood Training on Mushroom Processing for selected women’s cooperatives in Pili to promote sustainable livelihoods and enhance food security. The training took place on April 29–30, 2025, at CBSUA Pili Campus, Camarines Sur.
This capacity-building activity forms part of the FRS and COA project (Code: 2023-PRYC 000597 AECID), which aims to strengthen the socio-economic empowerment, governance, and resilience of vulnerable women in Pili.
The initiative specifically supports the development of sustainable livelihood opportunities for women’s cooperatives in the area.
Participants were trained in various mushroom-based recipes by Ian Darrell D. Bordon, Agricultural Technician at the DA-RFO V Regional Food Laboratory. He served as the resource speaker and led comprehensive discussions and live demonstrations on mushroom processing techniques.
Participants actively engaged in hands-on preparation of a diverse array of mushroom products, including croquettes, lumpia, chicharon, pickles, siomai, tapa, ice cream, patties, medley, and sisig. These innovative recipes highlighted the versatility of mushrooms as a nutritious, sustainable, and income-generating ingredient.
Beyond enhancing food sustainability and ensuring food safety, the training also opened doors to potential micro-enterprise ventures, providing participants and their communities with practical tools for economic empowerment. The event was also made possible through the support of FRS Community Organizers Edna P. Arevallo, Rechelda V. Perico, Vangeline L. Lopez, and Marites N. Rabor, alongside their Local Coordinator, Marie Joyce Armea.
This initiative reflects the shared commitment of all partner organizations to empowering local communities through sustainable agriculture, health, and livelihood development. |𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘈𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘍. 𝘉𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘦 𝘎. 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵
