As continued pursuit and in quick response to the information and knowledge capacity gap of Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in Northern Palawan regarding the Fall Army Worm (FAW), the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) – MIMAROPA capacitated the AEWs in the long-term management options to control FAW in the province.

ATI MIMAROPA tapped the DA-Regional Crop Protection Center in conducting an intensive Training of Trainers on Corn Production Technologies: Management of Fall Army Worm at Farmbelle Park, Brgy. New Agutaya, San Vicente, Palawan.

The TOT covered the discussion of history and status of FAW in the country and proper pest and diseases management. To better understand and familiarize them of its control, they had a field activity to identify the FAW and determine the appropriate and available management options. One of the activities done was the installation of FAW pheromone traps in the corn field as one of the alternative methods in minimizing FAW in the field.

With this activity, Ms. Hedilisa Pacionela, Agricultural Technologist from LGU-Taytay shared that after attending this training, they have confirmed that the pest that has been attacking for three years in their locality was indeed FAW. “We thought that it was just an ordinary larva only to realize that it is FAW,” she said.

Carlito Lopez, AT from LGU-Coron appreciated the training especially because they have an on-going Farmer-Scientist Training Program (FSTP) on Corn. “This training will be of big help to our farmers who are undergoing FSTP on Corn in our municipality. In our farmer’s practice, if there are insects or pest visible in the farm, they would just spray some insecticides; but through this training, we have realized how destructive FAW is in the crops and we have also learned its appropriate pest and diseases management.”

TOT on FAW for Northern Palawan was held on May 24 to 26, 2022 with 19 participants.