SAN AGUSTIN, Surigao del Sur- the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII recently conducted a three-day Training on Sweet Potato Production on May 4-6, 2022 at Alameda Farm.

The training with 10 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units, was attended by 19 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from the five provinces of Caraga region.

The activity aimed to capacitate the participants in various cultural management and practices and identify the different varieties of sweet potato that are suitable in the region. They also enumerate the different value-adding of the products.

Mr. Romer Amante, Technical Staff of Department of Agriculture -Caraga Region shared the DA’s intervention for sweet potato production in Caraga.

On the hand, Mr. Nic Oswald Borines, Instructor I from Caraga State University (CSU), imparted his knowledge regarding sweet potatoes from the different varieties, cultural management to harvesting and post-harvest practices. Also, he discussed the status of sweet potato production and encouraged the participants to give importance in sweet potato industry.

After the lectures and discussions, Mr. Borines showed the participants how to set up sex pheromone as a control for sweet potato weevil. Likewise, the participants were able to observe the trapped weevil and identify its damages.

“The training course on sweet potato production gives a lot of knowledge and realization for us individuals who are working as technical staff of High-Value Crop Development Program (HVCDP), Agricultural extensionist and any related Agricultural Career’s. I really appreciate the topics well from the Sweet Potato Situationer in the Region, the different varieties of Sweet Potato and Sweet Potato value adding products. Especially when it talks to the contribution of the Region in the field of area planted until the volume of production in the country. This training serves as a reminder that the sweet potato industry will not leave behind as one of the HVCDP commodities and for me, it is my responsibility as a Provincial Focal Person of Agusan del Sur to support and encouraged the Local Government Unit to continue their plans for the expansion and production on the existing Sweet Potato Areas. I will include this as an action plan for the upcoming LGUs Data Harmonization Planning and Workshop to have actual and realistic profiling data in support of possible interventions for the near future. Moreover, the facilitator and the resource speaker of this training are exemplary to meet their goals in achieving the Learning, Exhibit, Advise, Disseminate well the information beyond our expectation and the support to the Agricultural Technologist. “Excellent Extension Services Beyond Boundaries” kudos to ATI for facilitating this training, more trainings to come. Besides the venue of the 3 day’s training is so relaxing and enjoying the tranquility of mother nature, for us to be able to think well and concentrate on this training. All in all, excellent experience for me as an Agriculturist.” said Monecris Dawn B. Tagleong, HVCDP Technical staff of Department of Agriculture-Caraga Region.

The said training was conducted by ATI-RTC XIII spearheaded by the Partnership and Accreditation Services Section (PASS) with Mary Jane Gonzaga, Development Management Officer I and HVCDP point person.