BANAYBANAY, Davao Oriental- Seventeen (17) Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in the region earned Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points after taking the Training on Capability Enhancement on Crop Nutrition for Rice Production, a Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) approved CPD-accredited course of the Agricultural Training Institute XI (ATI XI).
This was ATI XI's first training course with CPD units for AEWs.
The said training, which was conducted from May 2 to 6, 2022 in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental, aims to improve AEWs' ability to provide adequate technical assistance to rice farmers in their respective areas by continuing to expand their knowledge and skills in improved rice production technologies.
Specifically, it focuses on teaching the agricultural workers about balanced fertilization management for rice production, with an emphasis on fertilizer computation and fertilizer application.
Ms. Mechelle R. Mangmang, an instructor from the University of Southern Philippines (USEP) -Tagum specializing in soil science, and Mr. Ernie L. Malazarte, the Rice Program Focal Person of ATI XI, served as the resource persons for the training. They presented a series of workshops on creating a balanced fertilization program, with an emphasis on the correct and timely application of fertilizers.
In addition, the resource persons also shared strategies for coping with today's rising fertilizer prices by strategically calculating the fertilizers to use without compromising the nutritional needs of the rice crop.
For better adoption of learning, the participants performed hands-on activities during the training. Among these activities were actual fertilizer application in the rice field, setting up the Minus One Element Technique (MOET) Kit, and assessing a rice area using the Leaf Color Chart (LCC) to develop a nitrogen-based fertilizer program.
"I am very thankful because this training has really equipped me to do more as a rice technician in helping our farmers solve their crop nutrition problems," said Mr. Carlvint Louise T. Galang, AEW from Governor Generoso, and one of the participants.
Mary Grace M. Gallana, an AEW from Braulio E. Dujali, also expressed her gratitude to the ATI and the resource persons for the valuable knowledge they provided her with while she was in training. "Salamat sa ATI staff ug sa resource person sa pag-impart sa ilang knowledge and expertise, labi na kay Sir Ernie Malazarte sa pagtudlo og pagpasabot gyod ug maayo sa amua bahin sa fertilizer computation."
Each participant received 20 CPD credit units, which they can use to renew their professional license in the PRC.
As the Department of Agriculture's (DA) training arm, ATI will continue to offer more CPD-accredited courses for agriculture professionals. This was the first of many CPD trainings to come.
Report from Felson Jay V. Mahumot- Agriculturist II, ATI-XI
