Kitaotao, Bukidnon---As part of the center’s effort to empower countryside farmers and women through its Gender and Development (GAD) Program, a 3-day Training on Herbs and Spices Production and Utilization transpired as participated by 20 senior citizens and members of the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) of Kitaihon. The training aims to engage the participants in the propagation of medicinal herbs and spices in their respective homes.

Formally opened by SB Member Committee on Agriculture Eduardo Beltran, he emphasized the importance of herbs and spices, and expressed his gratefulness on the approval of the conduct on the said training and the participation of his colleagues. He also stressed that “Kani nga kahibalo usa ni sa makatabang sa tao nga mulambo ta sa atong panginabuhian ug makatabang sa atong panglawas.” He ended the message by thanking ATI for the training and look forward for more trainings in the near future.

Meanwhile, the participants actively joined the hands-on activity on soil-media preparation, herbs propagation and packaging and labeling. Potted herbs seedlings, pruning shear, hand trowel, seedling trays and training manuals were given to the participants as starter kit they can use to start in their herbs garden. The resource speakers were from GreenMinds Incorporated; GreenMinds is a partner learning site of ATI and one of the Extension Service Providers (ESP) in the region.

The said training was held at the Municipal Training Hall in Kitaotao, Bukidnon from April 14-16, 2021. (From the reports of Ms. Kimberly Magat, Anthonette June Russel and Moisa Niña C. Paglinawan)