By Philippine News Agency Some 55 farmers and agricultural workers from Batangas will attend a 90-day seasonal farmers’ training program in Chuncheon City, Gangwon Province in South Korea beginning Tuesday (April 17) until July 15 this year after completing their pre-departure seminar and orientation last week. Batangas public information officer Jenelyn A. Aguilera told Philippine News Agency over the weekend that the 55 farmers constitute the first batch of Seasonal Guest Farm Workers coming from the Batangas Provincial Agriculturist’s Office and the towns of Balete, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, Rosario, San Luis, San Pascual, Sto. Tomas and Taysan and Lipa City. Aguilera said the pre-training orientation and briefings were spearheaded by the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office at the Provincial Cooperative Training Center, Capitol Site here. She said the 1st Batch of Seasonal Guest Farm Workers bound for Chuncheon City, who completed a pre-training orientation last week, will undergo the training program as part of the collaborative partnership of the Batangas Provincial Government and the South Korean city government of Chuncheon in Gangwon Province through the initiative of Governor Hermilando Mandanas. The farmers will be trained on modern farming methods and agricultural techniques; responsible farming; proper tillage, planting, harvesting and packaging of the agricultural products. Before the send-off, Provincial Administrator Levi Dimaunahan reminded the farmer-trainees to demonstrate their dedication to work and work ethics and values throughout the training program in South Korea. During the orientation, Provincial Tourism for Cultural Affairs Officer lawyer Sylvia M. Marasigan presented the South Korea country profile and background information, especially on the culture and traditions of the South Koreans and the climate. Marasigan also reminded the Batangas farmer-trainees to observe the cordial relations and friendly ties between South Korea and the Philippines in general, and the bilateral partnership undertaking of Chuncheon City ang Batangas province. Mang Melchor Reyes, 53 year-old farmer from Malvar, Batangas who is among the participants expressed appreciation to the provincial government for giving them the great learning opportunity on modern agricultural practices in a foreign land. “This will greatly help me and my family as this great opportunity would enhance my knowledge on farming,” Reyes said. He also vowed not to miss this opportunity and learn a lot from best practices in modern agriculture in South Korea.