OCCIDENTAL MINDORO – To fully equip the new Agricultural Technician Workers (AEWs) on the components of IDOFS, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MiMaRoPa conducted a “Training on Integrated Diversified Organic Farming System (IDOFS)” at Lola’s Healthy Farm, Brgy. Poblacion, Magsaysay Occidental Mindoro on March 8-10, 2022.

Through lectures and hands-on demonstrations, the participants learned the IDOFS technologies including vermiculture, organic vegetable production, urban gardening, organic concoctions, carbonized rice hull, and lababoy technology. Moreover, they were able to gain knowledge on farm planning and lay-outing which will be used in establishing their own farms.

Mr. Romeo C. Veloso, Jr., Agricultural Technologist of Paluan shared “Way back six years ago, I used to work with the Philippine Rice Research Institute at sabi ko parang refresher course ko ang training na ito. Pero hindi pala kasi may synergy at self-sustaining po ang tatlong araw na pagsasanay. Malaking tulong po ito sa mga bagong AEWs ng aming probinsya. Ito ay ibabahagi rin namin sa mga magsasaka sa aming lugar”.

ATI-MiMaRoPa Center Director Pat Andrew B. Barrientos graced the activity. Also, Assistant Center Director Ruben P. Jugno, Project Development Assistant I Cyrus Jay V. Escolastico, and School for Practical Agriculture (SPA) Cooperator Perlita C. Esperanza served as Resource Speakers during the three-day training.

A total of 23 AEWs in the different municipalities in the province attended the said training.