To provide opportunities for all elderly to acquire basic knowledge on herbs production, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MiMaRoPa led by the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Unit conducted a three-day Training on Medicinal and Culinary Herbs Production on May 3-5, 2022 at Lola’s Healthy Farm, Brgy. Poblacion, Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro.

Mr. Jonjon Sarmiento or known as Farmer John, owner and manager of Kuatro Marias Agro-Ecology Farm in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro served as the Resource Person for the training. Farmer John’s lectures were focused on the importance of herbs, the significance of making the soil fertile by using organic matter, and the propagation of medicinal and culinary herbs.

During the hands-on activity, the participants actively joined in soil-media preparation and propagation of different types of herbs. One of the highlights of the training was the making of herbal ointment and juices that can be used to treat different illnesses such as skin problems and respiratory illnesses.

Mr. Efren P. Gonzales shared, “Marami po tayong natutunan sa aming pag-aaral. Nagkakaroon po ng direction lalong higit po sa katulad namin na retired na at may gagawin kami sa aming bahay na pwedeng pagkakakitaan. Higit sa lahat natutunan namin ang benepisyo ng herbs bilang alternative medicine at bilang sangkap sa mga lulutuing pagkain”.

The said training was attended by 22 senior citizens from the Municipality of Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro.