STA. CRUZ, Laguna- A total of 130 participants from Laguna province and nearby provinces attended the first free seminar focused on the production and processing of herbs and spices. The target participants were farmers and farming enthusiasts.

Ms. Marites Piamonte-Cosico, Center Director of ATI CaLaBaRZon along with Mr. Marlon Tobias, Laguna Provincial Agriculturist graced the opening program. The one-day seminar highlighted the production technology, cultural management, pests and diseases, and processing of herbs and spices. The participants gained basic knowledge from the resource speakers namely Mr. Renato Ignacio and Ms. Frene C. Dela Cruz from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Laguna. Mr. Ignacio emphasized the importance and benefits of herbs and spices. On the other hand, Ms. Dela Cruz, Provincial Alternate Organic Focal Person of Laguna, discussed the common pest and diseases of herbs and spices like aphids, which causes sooty molds.

The seminar was held at the Cultural Center of Laguna, Sta. Cruz, Laguna on August 14, 2018. ATI CaLaBaRZon will conduct seven (7) batches of one-day free seminars on various agricultural commodities from August to November 2018 in support with the Department of Agriculture’s thrust to promote safe production of food for every household and food security. The said trainings will focus on various technologies of herbs and spices, vegetables, mushroom, corn, beekeeping, and livestock production specifically in native pigs.