Success Indicators Of A Capability Enhancement On Butterfly Farming: Implication For Designing And Implementing Of Training Programs

Butterfly farming is a household-based livelihood with broadened economic benefits at the larger-scale. Considering its market niche, particularly in live butterfly exhibits abroad, this really has been a source of providing additional income to the rural economy. These economic activities, are indeed, must be sustained and enhanced to maximize benefits, expand or diversify income source, and lead in ecological conservation wherein butterflies are indicators of a healthy environment. As an intervention in support to the butterfly farming, a competency-based training program on butterfly production was held in five (5) training sites with intent to encourage and provide equal opportunities to the general public. A total of 179 individuals, majority was residents within the locality of the training site (86.03%), mostly women (4:1), married (86.67%), at productive age (43.3 ±4.0 years old) with earned secondary education (36.31%) were admitted to the training program. All trainees had the essential literacy and numeracy skills as required under the training program. They have varied social and economic status which are common in the rural setting. The majority had no prior knowledge on butterfly farming (88.83%) but ventured thereafter the training (5.03%) highlighting interest thereby ensuring sustainability of butterfly farming in Marinduque.