The Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera continues to promote the Organic Agriculture (OA) farming practices.
Through the Regional Organic Agriculture Program (ROAP), around 40 participants were trained and oriented on OA technologies in Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet on April 27-29, 2022.
The training intends to encourage farmers to adapt to organic farming practices considering that nowadays prices of fertilizers are increasing and it was also noted that the majority of organic practitioners in the region belong to 40 years old and above age category.
The topics include the Principles of Organic Agriculture, Philippine National Standards (PNS), Pest and Disease Management, other related PNS including demonstration on the preparation of concoctions or biological pests and diseases control and soil enhancer.
After actively participating during the lectures and demo, the participants had a return demo on the preparation of compost and concoctions (Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ), and Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO)) needed for plant growth. They were able to prepare sweet potato, garlic, and chesa/ canistel fruit FPJ/FFJ.
The participants were very grateful for the two-day activity. “Iyaman tan in remind yu kasin ay mantauli kami sin un-una ay inamag di lolo ya lola me. Ad-adu di naadal me baken baw wat din ammo me di mabalin me ay mausar ngem nu wada baw di sagabassit ay maadal mo et kaman ka metlang maki langen-langen sin gaet mo ya sin inmali metlang ay man itdo”, shared the participants. (We were reminded of the practices of our forebears. Also, the training served as a venue for us to learn more about farming practices as well as to learn and socialize with other people including our trainers).
Knowing that Kibungan folks are practicing natural farming, it is still necessary to conduct such training to improve their production practices and to impart additional knowledge on the practices and standards of organic farming for them to understand and appreciate the impact of the growing industry.
This training was conducted in partnership with the LGU Benguet and LGU Kibungan.
The next Training on Organic Agriculture Technologies will be conducted in Bokod, Benguet.//LDM
