KITAOTAO,Bukidnon--- Following the National Training of Trainers(NTOT), the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute RTC X conducted the first batch of its roll-out training in support to the country’s fight against Fall Army Worm (FAW) management on May 17-22, 2021 in Poblacion, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

The training aims to ensure the implementation of the long-term management program of FAW to corn crops, especially in the region where corn is a major commodity grown by farmers.

It was joined by twenty (20) corn farmers and corn coordinators from the different barangay in Kitaotao, Bukidnon. All twenty participants completed the three-day course.

Highlighted in the activity were discussions on the status of FAW incidence in the Philippines since its first detection in a corn and sugarcane area in Cagayan Province in July 2020. Also discussed were the prevention, control and management practices, suppression techniques and methods for FAW.

Almost 12,744 hectares corn and sugarcane areas were infested with FAW in the July 2020. The DA allocated Php 150 M for the quick response fund for FAW management activities in 2021.

Likewise, the participants had a field practicum for an first hand experience on surveillance, monitoring and identification practicum on a nearby corn area.
Aside from the field activity, they were taught on using a digital application on FAW field surveillance for a faster FAW detection.

Each participant crafted a municipal FAW management plan for their respective municipality.

The second batch of the training will be conducted on May 25-27, 2021 in Dangcagan, Bukidnon (from the reports of Noriel Kris Santillan).