BRGY. SALVACION, Bayugan City – Organic vegetable production is expected to rise here as more local farmers continue to educate and advocate their fellow farmers to grow vegetables the natural way.

One farmer’s group in this city that continuously train farmers on organic agriculture is the AMIGO farm which is also an Extension Service Provider (ESP) of ATI. Recently, the AMIGO farm produced 35 more farmers who vowed to go organic. They completed the three-day Training on Organic Vegetable Production held at the AMIGO Farm in Brgy. Salvacion last September 24-26, 2018.

During the training, participants were taught how to make organic fertilizers such as Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN), Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) and Fish Amino Acid (FAA). They also demonstrated the proper way of making concoctions and mixing of fortified fertilizers. Moreover, they learned about proper application of organic fertilizers, land preparation and water management practices.

According to Lenaisa Gonzales, a farmer from Brgy. Taglatawan, the training was valuable for her. “The topics discussed were very good. We learned more about biological farming system, nutrients management, urban gardening and soil fertility. It was only in the training that we learned about how to create a balanced agro-ecosystem. With regard to diversified cropping, inter-cropping and crop rotation, I think we can apply it even in our small farm. I guess one of the best topics was the micro and macro elements needed for the plants to grow. Now we know we will able to get those elements through our own concoctions. We prefer those concoctions over the commercial ones because they are cheaper and safer for our plants and animals.”

Another farmer’s impression was from Daisy Latore of Brgy. Bugac. She said, “I learned a lot especially on concoction preparation, land preparation, urban gardening and fortified organic fertilizer. It was in the urban gardening where I was challenged because I saw that you can maximize a small portion of your houseyard for gardening purposes by using pots or used plastic bottles.”
Aside from lectures, the participants also had farm tours and workshops. They also came up with an action plan where they were required to establish their own backyard gardens.