In line with its mission to promote sustainable agricultural practices, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I) successfully conducted the Skills Training on the Production of Biocontrol Agents for Various Coconut Pest Control from September 17-19, 2024 at ATI-RTC I, Tebag East, Santa Barbara, Pangasinan. This initiative aims to equip coconut farmers, agricultural technicians, and other stakeholders with the skills needed to manage coconut pests sustainably through the use of biological control agents, promoting an eco-friendly approach to pest management.
The training was attended by 26 participants, including coconut farmers and agricultural extension workers. Participants were introduced to the latest methods in biological pest control, focusing on natural enemies of key coconut pests, such as coconut scale insects, rhinoceros beetles, Asiatic palm weevil and coconut leaf beetle.
During the training, experts from ATI-RTC I facilitated both lectures and hands-on sessions that covered topics such as Identification of common coconut pests and their life cycles; Importance of biocontrol agents in sustainable pest management and techniques in mass production of biocontrol agents like parasitoids, predators, and microbial agents.
Participants also engaged in practical demonstrations where they learned how to culture and release natural enemies into the field to control coconut pests, thus reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides.
Through this training, ATI-RTC I continue to support coconut farmers by promoting environmentally sustainable pest management solutions, which not only help in increasing coconut productivity but also in safeguarding the health of both the environment and farming communities. The success of this training is expected to contribute to the overall resilience of the coconut industry in the region.
