BONTOC, Mountain Province – At least 30 camote farmers in Barangay Bayyo in this municipality underwent training on managing infestation of fusarium wilt, a common fungal disease in plants and other pervasive pests and diseases of sweet potatoes on September 25-26, 2024.
The two-day learning activity dubbed Training on Combatting Fusarium Wilt and Other Pervasive Pests and Diseases of Sweet Potatoes: Integrated Management Strategies was initiated by the Cordillera office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in collaboration with the municipal government through the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAg), Benguet State University-Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center and provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
Cheryle Fungo from the OMAg explained that the training aimed to equip farmers with knowledge and practical skills to identify, manage, and prevent Fusarium wilt and other significant pests and diseases affecting sweet potatoes in the barangay.
Municipal Agriculturist Renato Falag-ey, in his opening message, thanked the partner stakeholders for the provision of the training, which was funded under the DA-High Value Crops Development Program.
Municipal Administrator Eric Fulangen, Sr., who represented Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., joined Falag-ey in extending his gratitude to the partner agencies.
He acknowledged that pests and plant diseases have dire consequences that affect the livelihood of the local farmers.
“Our local farmers are making ends meet in dealing with the persistence of pests and diseases which have an economic impact on their produce. These pests destroy the horticultural operations affecting the plant health and quality of crop resulting in the negative effect on the trade or marketability of the camote coming from Bayyo,” the mayor said in his message relayed by Fulangen.
He added that the training is beneficial to the participants, thus, he encouraged them to listen to the resource speakers and put into practice the knowledge learned from the two-day training.
The training highlighted the importance and versatility of sweet potatoes as a survival crop. The participants were informed of the importance of sweet potato production, an overview of sweet potato production, the status of sweet potato production in the Philippines, government programs and support for sweet potato production, varieties, cultivation practices, and current challenges and opportunities.
Further, the attendees gained insights on the importance of pests and disease management; the importance of Fusarium wilt in sweet potato production; case studies of fusarium wilt outbreaks; introduction to Integrated Disease Management (IDM), principles and benefits; components of IDM; overview and identifying common insect pests or damage assessment and monitoring; and biological and cultural management.
Likewise, actual demonstrations with the participation of the attendees were conducted.
The resource speakers were Horticulturist/ Researcher Cleje Ail Dogyang, Designated Director of Northern Philippine Root Crops Protection Center Teresita Masangcay, and Entomologist/ Science Researcher Specialist Eden Laoyan.
With newfound insights and a renewed sense of purpose, the participants are poised to embark on a journey of innovation and growth, harnessing the rich bounty of Bayyo’s sweet potatoes. By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay & Ruth Suagen