In line with Institute’s commitment to promote sustainable corn production, the DA-ATI- Regional Training Center I (DA-ATI-RTC I), in partnership with the DA-Regional Field Office I (DA-RFO I), implements a phased training on Corn Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in the Region. This three-phased training program is designed to enable the AEWs to provide technical guidance to corn clusters in establishing, operating, and managing a village-level biological control agents (BCA) production and rearing facility.
The first phase was held on April 21-25, 2025, at the DA-ATI-RTC 1 Satellite Training Center, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, with a total of 25 participating AEWs from the DA-Regional Field Office 1, Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Ilocos Sur, and different Municipal Local Government Units (MLGU) in the region. These LGUs are identified as pest hotspot areas and recipients of a farmer-level training on IPM by the DA-RFO 1.
Serving as the foundational phase, this training provided the AEWs with an understanding of pest identification, behavior, and management strategies through IPM, providing a solid basis for the program’s direction and objectives. Various learning methods, such as interactive discussion and workshops, were employed by resource persons from the DA-RFO I Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-RCPC) and Corn Program, to include Ms. Raquel Lopez, Mr. Joseph D. Villanueva, and Mr. John Leo Bungubung.
On the other hand, a field exposure and hands-on on Agro-Ecosystem Analysis, facilitated by Mr. Bungunbung and two (2) Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs) from Badoc, Ilocos Norte, Mr. Anthony Feliber Garcia and Mr. Elvis Pidut, strengthened the participants' knowledge on pest monitoring.
The remaining phases are scheduled in May, and will revolve on the BCA production and utilization; establishment, operation and management of BCA laboratory; and the development of proposals to access fund support for the project.
