Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City--- Twenty-five senior citizen participants from Barangay Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City successfully completed the requirements of the Training on Urban Container Household Gardening for Senior Citizens, in response to the request of the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA).
Regional Agriculture and Fisheries (RAFC) Chairperson Nilda B. Salas and Mr. Honorio S. Cervantes, President of the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) of Cagayan de Oro and a Learning Site for Agriculture Operator, Ms. Teodosia D. Jaraba, Training Specialist III, and Ms. Gia Joy B. Lusterio, Technical Support Staff and Ms. Hannah Eleanor N. Santander, Technical Support Staff served as resource persons.
During the opening program, Hon. Marlo L. Tabac, Punong Barangay of Gusa, delivered the welcome address. In his message, he emphasized that there are 9 million senior citizens in the country and some of them can still be productive. ATI-RTC X Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez also delivered her inspirational message to the participants. In her message, she expressed her gratitude to all the participants for their active participation in the training.
A lecture-discussion on urban container gardening and the concepts of vegetable growing and FAITH (Food Always in The Home) was delivered by Ms. Jaraba. For the afternoon session, Ms. Lusterio delivered her lecture on the Production Guide on Selected Solanaceous Crops, Legumes, Crucifers, and Cucurbits Crops.
The participants were then engaged in the participative lecture on Square Foot Gardening and Black Soldier Fly Production and Utilization delivered by Mr. Cervantes during the second day of the training. For the afternoon session, Ms. Salas delivered her lecture on Do-It-Yourself Hydroponics followed by a demonstration/hands-on activity. Ms. Santander lectured on the topic of Management of Common Insect Pests and Diseases of Vegetables.
On the third day of the training, the participants, together with the resource persons and training management team visited the Cervantes Square Foot and BSF Farm, a Learning Site for Agriculture located in Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City. During the visit, the participants were able to see an established Square Foot Garden. A demonstration of the production and utilization of Black Soldier Fly was also delivered by the farm owner, Mr. Honorio S. Cervantes himself. The participants were eager to learn all the technology discussed by Mr. Cervantes. Ms. Jaraba delivered a lecture on the basics of Composting during the afternoon session.
During the closing ceremony, three participants expressed their impressions for the whole duration of the training. They also expressed their gratitude to ATI-RTC X Management, Resource Persons, facilitators, and co-participants. A special award was given to the participant with the highest increment in learning. The Training on Urban Container Household Gardening for Senior Citizens was conducted last September 20-22, 2023 at Cagayan de Oro City. (submitted by: Teodosia D. Jaraba, Training Specialist III)
