DILIMAN, Quezon City—The 3rd AgriTalk 2017, held through the partnership of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and Agriculture Magazine of the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp., served as an avenue to showcase various farming technologies and practices from different parts of the country.

Among these technologies is mushroom production using coffee grounds as demonstrated by John Regie Anthony Jaminal, proprietor of Perfect Mushrooms. Calling in help from some participants, Jaminal explained the process in seven easy steps.

Jaminal shared the benefits of using coffee grounds, saying that this is an ideal substrate since it contains key nutrients that mushrooms need to grow. Likewise, it is easy to get started with and there is no need for sterilization since it has undergone pasteurization from being brewed.

“At Perfect Mushrooms, we never stop introducing or raising awareness about mushroom-growing because for others, this could be an option. It might not be ‘the’ way, but it could be an option for an overseas Filipino worker to stay home together with their families and have this as source of livelihood where they might earn as much as they will when they work outside the country,” he said.

Other technologies showcased at the event were on square-foot gardening, growing ornamentals, urban gardening using plastic containers, and mushroom cultivation. Angelica Costales of Costales Nature Farms also talked about farm tourism while Joeven Calasagsag of the ATI Information Services Division discussed the Institute’s e-Extension program.

Marivic Gacuma, 39, from Tagaytay City grabbed the chance to attend the free seminar to learn about mushroom production, “I’m thinking of having it as a business so I could supply to restaurants and manufacturers of mushroom burgers in our area.”

She also lauded the speakers for sharing their expertise, “This seminar is very informative. I appreciate the hands-on activities and the open forum because we get to ask questions.”

ATI Deputy Director Alfredo Aton graced the event and underscored its importance in addressing the thrust of the government to eradicate hunger through farming, “We, at the ATI, aim to impart knowledge and expertise on agriculture for everyone… We also believe that our backyard is our hope and our future.”

The 3rd AgriTalk 2017 held on September 15 at the ATI Compound drew around 200 people from different parts of the country. The first two events were held in June and August and gathered around 800 participants. The culmination of this seminar series is slated on September 23-24 during the Urban Agriculture Expo at the Mall of Asia.