LOS ANGELES, Butuan City - In its effort to enhance the knowledge and skills of the Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in mango production, the Agricultural Training Institute conducted the Training of Trainers’ (TOT) on Mango Orchard Management. A total of 16 participants composed of 13 AEWs and 3 farmers completed the three-day TOT which was conducted last May 5-8, 2021 at the Golden Tara Hall, ATI-RTC 13, Los Angeles, Butuan City.

In his message, Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo emphasized the need for mango growers to ensure the availability of market for their product and that mango contracting is a one-way business. He added that vast technologies are readily available for mango because it is well

Technical experts from Syngenta Philippines, Inc. served as the Resource Persons (RP) during the training. Crop Manager for Fruits Julius Paul B. Cunanan presented the mango situationer, while Regional Agronomy Lead for South Luzon and Visayas Paulo Angelo B. Veluz discussed the introduction to mango production and nursery establishment, care and maintenance. Meanwhile, Dr. Calixto M. Protacio, Professor XII of the Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, UPLB discussed the cultural management practices for mango. Other topics discussed during the Training include: Mango Phenology and the proper use of Paclobutrazol; Major pests in mango and their management; major diseases in mango and their management; and, insecticide resistance management of major pests in mango.

To intensify the learning process, the trainees were exposed to Marvin Mantilla Farm in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. Due to limited PPEs, the RPs demonstrated some field activities such as the identification of bud emergence for flower induction, proper pruning, and identification of pests and diseases in mango.