The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has committed to provide technical support to the agricultural sector in Negros Occidental, particularly in farm machinery operation and maintenance training for farmers.

“TESDA Negros Occidental is committed to helping the province’s agriculture sector to thrive,” Provincial Director Niña Connie Dodd said in a statement on Friday.

The agency made the commitment after a meeting with representatives the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) at the TESDA Regional Training Center in Talisay City on Thursday.

During the meeting, the PAFC presented a resolution requesting TESDA to include farm machinery operation and maintenance training for farmers in its training programs.

The resolution pointed out that one of the concerns faced by the agriculture sector is lack of skills and knowledge among farmers on how to maintain the equipment and machinery provided to them by the government.

As such, some of the units are no longer being utilized due to malfunction and other wear and tear concerns.

Dodd assured the OPA and the PAFC that the agency will provide the necessary technical support to address the issue, which include relevant skills and knowledge to diagnose and repair mechanical issues, improve operational efficiency, and reduce downtime.

“TESDA-Negros Occidental will prioritize establishing infrastructure and developing competency standards for agricultural machinery and equipment operation, servicing, and maintenance,” she said.

This would include identifying training and assessment centers and assignment of trainers and competency assessors.

Last week, TESDA also launched in Negros Occidental the country’s first training program on sugarcane production to equip local workers with the technical skills needed to improve productivity and sustainability in the sugar industry

An initial batch of 25 trainees will undergo a comprehensive four-month course on Sugarcane Production NC (National Certificate) Level II. (PNA)