BAGUIO CITY – As part of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera organized a Children’s Agricultural and Environmental Educational Tour on November 28, 2024, at the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Compound in Baguio City.
The children’s tour, attended by students and teachers from Bonifacio Elementary School, began with an introduction by Divina Jose, BPI Training Coordinator. She explained that the facility they were about to visit is dedicated to propagating plant seedlings. Once the seedlings are grown, they are moved to a greenhouse to develop their roots before undergoing testing for any diseases or bacteria.
Next, the children visited the mushroom greenhouse, where button mushrooms are cultivated. John Mark Alabat explained that the mushroom seedlings are called “spores.’ He also added that button mushroom originally came from horse manure and was then propagated.
The group then toured the citrus greenhouse, where Ms. Jose introduced two types of citrus fruits: mandarins, which are easy to peel, and oranges, which are more difficult to peel.
The final stop of the tour was the Smart Greenhouse, where bell peppers and tomatoes are grown. Most functions of the greenhouse are controlled by a computer, including the dripper system that waters the plants.
The children expressed their excitement and appreciation for the tour, sharing that they learned new things and could relate them to their science lessons. The teachers who accompanied the children also expressed gratitude for the educational opportunity.
RAFIS Chief Aida Pagtan explained that the activity was designed to provide children with a hands-on experience that encourages critical thinking and supports both their mental and physical well-being. Dr. Pagtan also connected the activity to the ongoing campaign against VAWC, highlighting how exposure to agriculture and the natural environment helps children appreciate their food sources and enhances learning retention. Additionally, the event was held in celebration of Children’s Month. By Alyssa Dawn L. Alalag
