Jimenez, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL--- a Training on Organic Agriculture Production Technologies transpired recently, to serve as capacity enhancement training for Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in Jimenez and its neighboring areas in Misamis Occidental. The enhancement training of AEWs is necessary since extension workers are considered champions in doing field work, and are the direct link of the farmers in managing their respective farms.

The organic agriculture training focused mainly on soil preparation and production of commodities such as rice and vegetables as well as organic fertilizer and organic concoction production.

“This has taught me the importance of organic agriculture in our lives, especially on our health. Nowadays, it is very important that we should adopt organic agriculture in our way of farming due to the high prices of farm inputs. The discussion of Vic Tagupa’s study is a mixture of biodynamic farming, science and best practice. I also admire the passion and love of Necifen in her advocacy of promoting organic agriculture. It is such an inspiration we should look for”, Jessa Dece Mae Buna said during the sharing of learning insights.

Though the main target of twenty four participants are from Misamis Occidental, some of them came from the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte to attend the said training.

The implementation of organic agriculture programs in the country is headed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through ATI by conducting a series of Training of Trainers’ (TOT) Courses on Organic Agriculture (OA) aimed at providing the stakeholders with a unified understanding on how OA activities are implemented. In order to fast tract the implementation, these TOT courses are then conducted at the national, regional, provincial and municipal levels.

“Join the race to make the world a better place. Go for bio fertilizer and bio pesticides in order to improve the quality of our food. Go for modern concept of organic farming, let us combine traditional innovation and science. Fly high ATI, sir Vic Tagupa, sir JP Andalan, ma’am Necifin Cagaanan, training management staff. We are very proud and thankful for this training”, Arsenia A. Ederosas said during the sharing of impressions.

After the training, each of the participants were given two certificates during their closing program on Thursday August 25, one as their Certificate of Completion and the other as their Certificate for PRC-approved CPD points. (with reports from Javier P. Andalan, Agriculturist II)