Project News
2008-03-03
Training in Processing Agricultural Products
On November 15, 2007, we invited a guest lecturer to hold a training session in processing agricultural products at the Chagres National Park regional office located in Sardinilla. Representative members from each group formed by the Project participated in the training.
The participants practiced making tortillas from corn and pixvae (Pixvae sp., a native palm nut), Chumi Churri (a sauce made from chumi churri and herbs), and nance jam (Birsonima crasifolia, a native fruit tree). They also learned how to bottle foods for long-term preservation by bottling cooked pixvae. (Photo 1)
The idea that "cooking is women's work" is still deeply rooted among the inhabitant of this area; it caused quiet a stir among the participants when they saw the male extension workers demonstrating the cooking methods. (Photo 2) All the participants appreciated the training session and especially enjoyed the "fruits" of the day's labor, which they took home with them.
(Photo 1: left) The session started with the lecturer's instructions and example.
(Photo 2: right) Mr. Hector, an extension worker, making tortillas.
(Mr. Isao SAKAI, Chief Advisor / Rural Development)
