ORIENTAL MINDORO – Thirty (30) participants consisting of Agricultural Extension Workers and banana growers successfully graduated on the “Training on Saba Production and Management” on March 15-18, 2022 held at ATI-RTC MiMaRoPa, Barcenaga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

The training provided the participants with knowledge on cultural aspects and management of saba banana specifically on the pests that affect the production of the crop. The training employed lectures and hands-on activity, particularly on saba pest identification and management.

The participants experienced the on-site collection and identification of insects at Brgy. San Cristobal, Victoria, a farm owned by Mr. Ruel A. Sanchez which helped them become more familiar with the insects as well as the damages it caused in the banana plant. Also, they were able to interview him which gave them more insights into the banana management practices.

Moreover, they were given a brief tour at the Lakatan Demonstration Farm of the Mindoro State University (MinSU) at Brgy. Bethel, Victoria wherein the participants observed the noticeable effect of the right cultural management practices on the crop. Hence, they were inspired and further aspired to establish a banana demonstration farm in their respective municipalities.

In addition, a workshop on the Cost and Return Analysis on saba production was also conducted. The activity aimed to prove to the participants that engaging in banana production is profitable.

Ms. Josie L. Fetalver, Agricultural Technologist of LGU-Sta. Maria, Romblon shared “Napakalaking motivation sa bawat extension worker ang pagsasanay na ibinibigay ni ATI sa amin. Nahubog muli at napuno ng mga magagaling na speaker ang aming mga kaisipan lalo na sa pag-aalaga ng mga saging. Confident kami na dalhin ang aming natutunan sa aming bayan”.

The experts from the MinSU served as Resource Speakers in the four-day training of trainers.