Cacao Specialist Mario Gacang demonstrates proper pod breaking and explains the importance of fermentation process during the tour at VPO Rosario Agro-industrial Development Corporation in Mahayahay, Sta. Cruz, Rosario, Agusan del Sur.
BUTUAN CITY-The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 13 recently conducted the Enhancement Training for Learning Site for Agriculture Cooperators on April 29 – May 3, 2019. The participants were composed of 28 members of the Caraga Agricultural Learning Sites Association (CALESA) and 7 staff of ATI-RTC 13.
Distinct from ATI’s traditional training conduct, the 5-day activity was focused on sharing of best farming practices through an offsite learning experience in certified Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSA) in regions 10 and 11. It aimed to help the LSA co-operators acquire technologies and develop necessary skills on farming for the improvement of their respective learning sites.
On day 1, the group visited Alomah’s Nature Farm, certified LSA of ATI-RTC 10 located in Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. There they learned about the farming practices of Alomah in their naturally-grown lettuce varieties, medicinal and culinary herbs and how they managed to establish a market for their produce. The couple Ben John and Grace Mahistrado shared that the entire family worked together in the establishment and management of the farm.
The next day, the group headed to Binahon Agroforestry Farm (BAFF) in Lantapan. Henry S. Binahon, owner of BAFF shared how he and his wife started establishing the farm from production of planting materials and organic vegetables and how it expanded into a learning site for agriculture.
In sharing his experience, Benjamen Lao, owner of Lao Integrated Farms Inc. located in Bansalan, Davao del Sur highlighted some of the farm technologies they practiced in the successful production of coco sugar and turmeric -flavoured ice cream. The participants were also toured to other project components of Lao Intergrated Farms. During their visit at KWR Permaculture Farm in Florida Kapalong, Davao del Norte, the participants appreciated the integration of human activity with the environment to create self-sustaining ecosystems as shared by Ronald Manching, LSA co-operator.
On the last day of training, the group visited the VPO Rosario Agro-Industrial Development Corporation located in Mahayahay, Sta. Cruz, Rosario, Agusan del Sur.
“The Resource Persons are experts in their field and they are generous enough to share not only their journey to success but also their failures and challenges as source of further learning,” says Primacar Subibi, City Agriculturist of Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
The culmination activity was graced by OIC-Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo, Senior Agriculturist Heracleo A. Paler with Engr. Matt Baquiano, Agriculturist II as the Project Officer.