The Agricultural Training Institute in CALABARZON, as one of ATI’s network of Training Centers heeded the call to support the Department of Agriculture’s initiatives and promotion of urban agriculture in the households.

Now on its third episode, the webinar Agricultural Technologies thru Internet at Home or “ATI@Home,” made its way to households and teach “Homemade Insect Spray and some Pest Management Techniques.” It was delivered by ATI’s national Extension Service Provider (ESP), Costales Nature Farms through its owner, Mr. Reden Mark Costales last April 27, 2020.

To access the webinar, one must fill out the information sheet using google forms. Consequently, a link will be provided in the email, that links directly to the Facebook [closed] group. The ATI@Home team then from the ISS and the Project Officer will check the participant’s registration form from the consolidated google sheet, prior to approval of request to join the FB group. As of writing, the group has already 851 members.

Each episode consists of lecture through PowerPoint presentation, (pre-recorded) demonstration and live Q&A portion with the speaker. Costales’ lecture focused on the disadvantages of using chemicals, pest management techniques and materials with natural pest repellent and insecticidal properties. His demonstration centered on making EM5 (Japanese formulation), a botanical spray, Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN), JADAM herbal solution (from JADAM Organic Farming) and homemade insect spray.

In the effort to make the webinar more participatory, the TMT facilitated a quiz party an hour before, and right after the live seminar. 10 winners will receive prizes which shall be claimed after the ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) has been lifted.

Project Officer, Ms. Soledad Leal from Partnerships and Accreditation Services Section (PASS) and Mr. Costales keep the Facebook group active by posting relevant information and answering queries from the group members.

For succeeding ATI@Home episodes, follow @ATICalabarzon Facebook page.

SOURCE: Ms. Soledad Leal