Lantapan, BUKIDNON---The Agricultural Training Institute, Regional Training Center Region 10 (ATI-RTC10) recently conducted a 5-day Training of Trainors on Plant Propagation and Nursery Establishment on High Value Crops” in partnership with Binahon Agro-Forest Farm (BAFF), along with the IP youth Representatives from the different municipalities and cities of the province of Bukidnon.

The said training intended to educate the IP youth on plant propagation and nursery establishment for them to build their own nursery and propagate plant in their respected municipalities or cities. It also aims to empower them, boost their confidence, and equip them to become better trainers in their respective municipalities and cities for the upcoming establishment of the cooperative “Bukidnon Indigenous People’s Unified cooperative” ( BIPUACO) that aims to unite the seven tribes of Bukidnon.

In his welcome message, Provincial IPMR Datu Richard Macas encouraged the youth to become worthy to their municipalities and cities especially to their tribes.

Later, Chief Executive Officer of Binahon Agro-Forest farm (BAFF) Henry S. Binahon, toured the participants around the eight-hectare farm and showcased the plants inside the farm with a brief history beyond the success of BAFF, according to Binahon, it took 30 years to achieve the beauty and concept of the farm.

During the day 2 of the training, Mr. Binahon discussed the methods and techniques on plant propagation, sexual propagation, seed collection, type and seed collection, and propagation and germination. He then lead the training participants to their nursery and seedling processing where he showed and showcased the proper way of propagating seeds, sowing seeds, soil medium preparation, bagging, potting, transplanting, filing and segregation of the transplanted plant.

On the third day, resource person Aquisah L. Renayong of BPI-NSQCS discussed the Department Circular No. 2 also known as “Revised General Guidelines For Certification of Mother Trees and Planting Materials of Fruit and Plantation Corps”, which highlights the importance and steps in application for certification of the mother plants to be certified by the BPI-NSQCS and NSIC. It is being registered to the BPI-NSQCS to ensure that the given crops are in a good quality and a good variety of their own respected variety, as well as to ensure the legitimacy of the products to avoid being scammed. Meanwhile, her colleague Manilyn A. Zanoria, discussed Department Circular No.1 Series of 2020 also known as “Guidelines on plant Nursery Accreditation for Government and Private Plant Nursery Operators and their Nurseries” which highlights the importance and steps in accrediting application of nurseries. It is the second step after the mother plant or planting material is being certified when it is already accredited to the BPI-NSQCS.

The training was concluded with a tour to four farm destinations in Bukidnon. (submitted by District Four-Pahidalig Team: Jamal Ampuan Langcap, April Boy Arnosa, Nova Mie Queen Anglao, and Richen Salido)