Participants of the TOT on Mango Orchard Management last May 5-7, 2021 taking their pretest with the ATI Management Team and Resource Persons from Syngenta Philippines, Inc.
LOS ANGELES, Butuan City – Ranked as 3rd most important fruit in the country and identified as one of the priority commodities under the High-Value Crops Development Program, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII conducted the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Mango Orchard Management last May 5-7, 2021.
The training aimed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitude of the agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in mango production. It was participated in by 16 individuals composed of 13 AEWs and three farmers from the region.
Center Director Samuel Calonzo highlighted during his message the need for mango growers to ensure the marketability of their product. He said, different technologies are available for mango and thus he encouraged the participants to continuously learn and gather more information and apply it in their farms.
Resource persons of the activity were technical experts from Syngenta Philippines, Inc. Paul B. Cunanan, Crop Manager for Fruits, discussed the mango situationer. Paulo Angelo B. Veluz, Regional Agronomy Lead for South Luzon and Visayas, presented the Introduction to Mango Production and Nursery Management Establishment, Care, and Maintenance. Dr. Calixto M. Protacio, Professor XII of the Institute of Crop Science College of Agriculture and Food Science in the University of the Philippines Los Baños, discussed the cultural management of mango.
Other topics discussed were: mango phenology and proper use of Paclobutrazol, major pests and diseases in mango and their management, and insecticide resistance management of major pests in mango.
Partakers also visited Marvin Mantilla Farm in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte and listened to his personal experiences as a mango grower.
“The training is very informative. Correct knowledge and skills have an integral role to achieve high production of mango, especially during the off-season. I am elated that upon learning their technologies/products developed so that our mangoes will be available all year round in the market,” said Anna Noreen M. Hernane, Agricultural technologist of the Office of Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) Surigao del Sur.