Bacolod, LANAO DEL NORTE---Highlighting its extension initiatives focused on marginalized groups and addressing special concern, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-RTC 10) though its Partnerships and Accreditation Services (PAS) organized recently a Training on Organic Vegetable Production.
The said training intended to increase the production of organic vegetable in Lanao del Norte as well as empower training participants to practice and follow the Philippine National Standard (PNS) for Organic Agriculture; realize the importance of Food Safety in relation to vegetable production and consumption; prepare concoctions using locally available materials; learn proper cultural practices in the production of organic vegetables; learn organic methods of preventing and controlling pest and diseases for vegetables; and learn farming as a business.
A total of 20 participants with majority of Maranaos from Munai, Lanao del Norte attended the training. The center had intended to empower the municipality before, in the time of former Center Director Edna Mabeza during a conduct of TOT on Palaycheck and Palayamanan at Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte. Later, there was a proposed visit to Munai, Lanao del Norte initiated by Dr. Angelito Y. Quirog but was postponed, since Christians were advised not to enter in the area yet.
The training was the first time the training participants were able to avail agriculture-related training from a government agency. Participants during their hands-on activities include producing organic fertilizer, organic concoctions; lokong making using banana leaves; mixing of soil media & sowing of seeds.
“I’m so glad na napasama ako sa training na ito dahil nadagdagan ang aking kaalaman sa pagtatanim tulad ng pagpili ng variety, land preparation at higit sa lahat ang hindi paggamit ng chemical fertilizer dahil ito ay nakakasira sa ating environment at syempre sa ating pangangatawan. Kaya embis na gumamit ng mga chemical, bakit hindi organic fertilizer ang gamitin tulad ng concoctions, vermicompost, at vermicast, para iwas gastos at ligtas tayo sa ano mang sakit. Kaya, maraming salamat sa ATI at sa Queensland Herbs & Tourism Farm”, said Amina S. Orandaya of Ramain, Munai during the sharing of learning insights.
As an extension support, the 20 participants received a b-net (20 meters each), pail, sprinklers, trowel, seedling trays, pinakbet vegetable seeds, IEC materials and t-shirt as PPE.
Facilitated by Agriculturist II Javier P. Andalan, the conduct of the training on Organic Vegetable Production transpired at Queensland Herbs & Tourism Farm Corporation, P2-Demologan, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte on September 8-10, 2021. (with reports from Javier P. Andalan, Agriculturist II)