To give more value and increase the demand of tomato products, a skills training on tomato processing was conducted at the College of Industrial Technology, Mariano Marcos State University (CIT-MMSU), Laoag City on March 5.

This was made possible through a joint effort of the Extension Directorate of MMSU, CIT, LGU’s, FITS Centers of Ilocos Norte, and ILARRDEC. 

The training was conducted to reinforce and improve the skills of small enterprise processors who have started processing and selling their products. These products are being displayed and sold during trade fairs in the province and as give aways to visitors and relatives. 

The participants were equipped with knowledge and skills in tomato processing. With this, it is expected that the participants would eventually venture into tomato processing enterprise. Some of the processed tomato products made during the training are tomato jam, jelly, pickles, juice and chutney. Packaging and labeling were also taught to the participants to add value of these products, hence, commands higher price in the market. 

The participants came from San Nicolas, Vintar, Baccara and Laoag City through the able coordinatorship of provincial FITS center in Ilocos Norte.

The training is an offshoot of the STBF on Organic Tomato established in the farm of Mr. Honorio dela Cruz at San Guilliermo, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. (Mary Ann Rarogal)