Tagbilaran City – It has been said that using edibles in landscape design can enhance a garden by providing a unique ornamental component with additional health, aesthetic, and economic benefits. Hence, on 1 – 3 March 2022, a Gender-based Training on Edible Landscaping with emphasis on Good Agricultural Practices and Food Safety was conducted at ATI RTC 7. The training was participated by agricultural extension workers (AEWs) coming from the provinces of Bohol and Siquijor. The training looked into the gender aspect where all female and male AEWs were given fair opportunity to join the training: with 17 female and 10 male completers.

The training aims to equip and/or enhance the knowledge, attitude and skills of our AEWs on vegetable production and edible landscaping emphasizing on good agricultural practices and food safety while recognizing gender roles and responsibilities. In the three-day course of the training, participants learned the Basic Concepts of Gender and Development; Good Agricultural Practices in the production of quality fresh vegetables; food safety practices in the production of fresh vegetables; and edible landscaping technologies. There was also a session about the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives in Agriculture decision support tools to address climate change issues.

“I learned many things during the 3-day training, most especially in the field of edible landscaping. I now have ideas and strategies on how to make edible landscaping in my prospect area. I do hope that it can be realized in the following days. I also learned how important it is to keep our food safe, the 5s for Good Housekeeping practice to be used in our home, offices, workplaces. Also, I learned about GAP and its importance, lastly about gender and development to treat men and women equally in the community. Hopefully, as I return to my respective office, I can turn my learnings into reality and share all of these to our clientele. I am looking for a positive impact through these training to be fulfilled,” said Ma. Daisy Flores from LGU Corella, Bohol – one of the training participants.

Ma. Gracia S. Pungay, Joemelyn A. Sumagang, and Doris Isabel J. Racho, from the Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center 7; and Pablita R. Cabarles from Manga National High School, Manga, Tagbilaran City, Bohol shared their expertise on the topics discussed as resource persons while Angelie Mencede served as member of the training management team.

Should there be any clarifications or inquiries around this training, you may contact Joemelyn A. Sumagang, Project Officer, thru her email at prettieblack8910@gmail.com.