LOS BAŃOS, Laguna- Research has shown that climate change triggers major changes on pest and diseases infestation pattern. These changes will have major implications for crop protection and food security, particularly in developing countries such as Philippines where the need to increase and sustain food production is most urgent. Farmers have been directly affected by the unpredictable occurrence of pest and diseases.

In support to Integrated Pest Management Program of Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Training Institute Region IV-A in collaboration with Region Crop Protection Center Region IV-A implemented the three-day Training of Trainers’ on Pests and Diseases Diagnosis and Management for High Value Crops specifically in vegetables.
Project Officer, Ms. Vira Elyssa L. Jamolin says that the training aims to capacitate the participants in determining and monitoring major pests and diseases of selected high value commercial crops and understand their management options.

26 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), selected Magsasaka Siyentista, and potential Learning Site farm cooperators completed the said training.

The participants were immersed to different pest and diseases such as fruit borer, aphids, bacterial wilt, and other causal agent such as nematodes during their hands-on exercise at the Municipal Agriculture Office of Los Baños, Laguna nursery.

The training was held on June 6-8, 2018 at Arisabel Clubhouse, Los Bańos, Laguna.