PITOGO, Quezon- To enhance the knowledge and skills of the farmers in Pitogo, Quezon on organic agriculture, the Agricultural Training Institute Region IV-A together with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Quezon and Local Government of Pitogo through the Municipal Agriculture Office launched the Farmers' Field School (FFS) on Integrated Diversified Organic Farming System (IDOFS).

The program will run for 14 weeks until October this year. The participants of this season-long training are farmers from various barangays of Pitogo. They will be able to learn organic vegetable production, common pests and diseases on vegetables, and bio-pesticides and fungicides through lecture and hands-on demonstration.

Municipal Agriculturist, Ms. Nelia Lagmay graced the program and delivered an inspirational message to the participants. Also present during the launching were ATI CaLaBarZon Center Director, Ms. Marites Piamonte-Cosico, Organic Agriculture (OA) Focal Person Ms. Arlina Reyes, and alternate OA Focal Person, Mr. Eduardo Reyes from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Quezon.

Mr. Eduardo Ramos from OPA Quezon and Mr. German Candido, both graduates of ATI IV-A training course on OA and holder ofTESDA NC II on Organic Agriculture Production will facilitate the 14-week training.

The FFS is being held at ATI IV-A's newly-accredited Learning Site, Glinoga Organic Farm at Brgy. Paete, Pitogo, Quezon.

With reports from: Soledad E. Leal