Malaybalay City, Bukidnon - The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture-High Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP), recently graduated twenty-four (24) new Vegetable Specialists across the country. The successful graduation ceremony took place on October 18, 2023, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Livestock and Research Center (NMACLRC) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

After completing a rigorous four-month Vegetable Specialist Training Course (VSTC), 24 Agriculture Extension Workers (AEWs) from various regions have officially become certified vegetable specialists. This intensive training equips them with the technical competence to address the challenges and complexities of agricultural production, especially in the cultivation of both lowland and highland vegetables.

During the graduation ceremony, ATI Northern Mindanao Center Director Maria Lydia Echavez welcomed guests and participants. In her address, she used the metaphor of a glass being half full and half empty to emphasize the importance of continuous learning. She encouraged the graduates to stay receptive to new knowledge and technologies as they return to their respective areas.

VSTC Project Officer and Agriculturist II Mr. Jomar Tabor presented the synthesis of the course, highlighting the outputs, including the VSTC Farmer's Field School (FFS) Final Report, five (5) Participatory Technology Demonstration (PTD) reports, and fourteen (14) re-entry plans. Participants included eleven (11) from ATI, nine (9) from DA-Regional Field Offices, and four (4) from selected Local Government Units.

Development Management Officer II of ATI-Ilocos Region, Ms. Alysa Caryl I. Vallo, shared her impressions of the season-long training, viewing her new role as a vegetable specialist as a challenge that benefits not only her but also the people in her region. "Progress is impossible without change," she added.

ATI Director IV Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, MNSA, CESO III, delivered a keynote message, acknowledging the essential role of vegetable farmers as frontliners during the pandemic. Director Recoter emphasized the responsibility of the vegetable specialists to share their expertise and make a significant impact on agriculture, particularly in the vegetable industry, to ensure food security and safety.

The ceremony included awards for selected vegetable specialists who excelled during the course, with Media Production Specialist II of ATI-Mimaropa, Ms. Cheri Dawn F. Fradejas, earning the title of class valedictorian. She also received awards for achieving the highest scores in the pre-test, post-test, quizzes, and microteaching.

Highlights of the graduation ceremony included the presentation of results from the five (5) Participatory Technology Demonstrations. Class valedictorian Ms. Fradejas presented promising outcomes, including studies on Multiple Cropping of Tomato and Okra, Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers to Hot Peppers, Nutrient Management using Inorganic Fertilizers on Tomato, and Integrated Pest Management.

The closing message was delivered by the Officer-In-Charge of the Partnerships and Accreditation Division, Ms. Nemelyn Pangilinan, who expressed gratitude for the contributions of various partner agencies in the success of the VSTC.

The graduation ceremony was attended by officials from Provincial, City, and Municipal Local Government Units, as well as representatives from DA-RFO X, DA-RFO XI, and BPI-HVCD & NUPAP.

The VSTC took place from June 19, 2023, to October 20, 2023, hosted by ATI Northern Mindanao at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Livestock and Research Center (NMACLRC) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.