Lantapan, Bukidnon---A total of 22 training participants consisting of agricultural extension workers, nursery operators, and learning site owners in Bukidnon attended a five-day training, organized by the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center X (ATI-RTC X), through its Career Development and Management Services (CDMS). The Training of Trainers on Nursery Establishment, Management, and Accreditation was conducted in partnership with the Bureau of Plant Industry- National Seed Quality Control Services (BPI-NSQCS).
Lectures and interactive discussions on different plant propagation techniques, management practices in establishing a plant nursery, plant nursery accreditation and plant material certification for quality planting materials were discussed with a hands-on activity at the end of the discussion proper. One of the resource speakers is Binahon Agroforestry Farm (BAFF) owner Henry S. Binahon, an Extension Service Provider (ESP) of ATI. Binahon urged the training participants to start small, in increment steps, since he started his agroforestry farm from a small nursery business.
The training also aims to equip participants to assist nursery operators and farmers in their respective areas to be acquainted with the requirements for the renewal and pass the accreditation of plant nursery establishment and management of BPI.
“Plant Nursery training is essential for individuals who want to establish or manage a plant nursery. It involves learning various aspects of plant propagation, growth, and management such as seed selection, germination, pest management and water management. Overall, plant nursery training is crucial for the success of a plant nursery and individuals who undergo this training”, says young agripreneur and licensed agriculturist Numeriano Quemado III.
BPI-NSQCS representatives Manilyn Z. Ofiana and Aquisah Renayong shared guideline updates of nursery accreditation and certification. They also encouraged the participants to apply for an accreditation and certification of their existing nurseries since the Department of Agriculture (DA) requires a 100% tagging of trees to all seedlings to be procured and be given to the LGUs.
An individual action plan drafted by the training participants were later on critiqued by the resource persons to be aligned in their workplan. The said training transpired from March 13-17, 2023 at the Binahon Agroforestry Farm (BAFF) in Barangay Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon. (with reports from Moisa Niña C. Paglinawan and Jeric L. Cabatac)
