SAN MIGUEL, Surigao del Sur - The third batch of the Seminar on Vegetable Gardening for the Peace and Development Zone areas produced a total of 16 graduates from San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. The majority are members of the Indigenous People Former Rebel Organization of San Miguel (IPFROS).

The activity held on March 29-30, 2021 was conducted by the ATI-RTC 13 in partnership with the OPAG-Surigao del Sur, and the Municipal Agriculturist Office-San Miguel.

In his welcome message, MA Ulysses Ravelo mentioned that this has been a timely endeavor to promote the expansion of vegetable production areas in the locality. He said that though there are already vegetable-producing barangays, they still cannot meet the demands for local consumers. He also thanked ATI and the PLGU for choosing San Miguel among all other PDZ-priority areas in the province.

Provincial HVCDP Focal Person Domingo O. Viduya discussed the following topics: Definition, Benefits, and Concepts of Vegetable Gardening and Management Practices for Vegetable Production (Basics of Vegetable Gardening). He also gave emphasis on the discussion on pest management. Because of the unfavorable weather condition, the participants were not able to visit a vegetable production area. A video of ATI’s Food Park and Ragas Farm was shown to give them more idea on gardening.

Meanwhile, Provincial OA Program Focal Person Rosemarie M. Ganate discussed Nature Farming Technology System. To intensify the learning process, she guided the participants in the preparation of concoctions particularly Fish Amino Acid, Fermented Fruit Juice, Fermented Plant Juice and Oriental Herbal Nutrient.

The ATI-RTC 13 ensured that the graduates will receive a starter kit for their vegetable gardening project.

The Training Management Team was headed by Project Officer Mary Grace B. Salve and HVCDP Point Person Mary Jane A. Gonzaga with the active support of the MAO personnel headed by HVCDP Focal Person Jonelyn Lumactod.