A five-day training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Mango Production was successfully held on April 21–25, 2025, at the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center II (ATI-RTC II) in Malasin, San Mateo, Isabela. The training was organized in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 02 (DA-RFO 02) and gathered 30 participants, including Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and farmer-leaders, primarily from mango-producing municipalities in Region 2.

The training aimed to strengthen participants' leadership capabilities and technical competence in mango cultivation. It also sought to deepen their understanding of the regional mango industry and promote the adoption of GAP to meet both local and international standards.

Key learning areas included proper fertilization techniques, pest and disease identification, and the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. The program also covered cultural management practices essential for boosting productivity and fruit quality while maintaining environmental safety and sustainability.

A standout component of the training was the hands-on fieldwork conducted at the Standard Hardware Integrated Farm in Bugallon, Ramon, Isabela. Led by Mr. Clodualdo R. Firme, widely known as the “Mango King” of Region 2, participants engaged in practical demonstrations such as pruning, bagging, and other best practices for both on-season and off-season mango production.

“This will not only benefit us personally as mango grower but likewise help our community and country to its responsibility to ensure food security. So with this training, being a leader, the challenge is now in our hands. Our knowledge should be shared to our group and to our co-growers to apply and adopt to our respective farms to the good agricultural practices that we learned,” said Ms. Cecilia Abarca, Farmer-leader, City of Ilagan, Isabela.

To ensure the continuity of knowledge transfer, participants were required to craft and present re-entry plans that would enable them to implement and cascade their learnings within their respective municipalities. This initiative supports the broader goal of enhancing mango production across Region 2 through sustainable, standards-compliant practices.

Writer: Noemi O. Valdez