Ilagan City, Isabela - Thirty Agricultural Extension Workers from across the Cagayan Valley region are now equipped to lead the urban farming movement in their communities, after attending a five-day training program conducted by ATI-RTC 02, at the Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC), San Felipe, City of Ilagan, Isabela on May 27-31, 2024.

The Training of Trainers on Urban Farming aimed to address the growing challenges to food security, particularly in urban areas.  Experts from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, CVRC, and other agencies provided participants with the knowledge, skills, and attitude (KSA) needed to implement successful urban farming initiatives in their respective areas of responsibility.

The training delved into the importance of urban farming as a solution to food security, providing alternative source food, and livelihoods, and promoting sustainable waste management. Participants explored the various approaches to urban food production, highlighting the benefits of growing food in backyards, rooftops, community gardens, and other urban spaces.

The participants learned about different urban farming methods, including edible landscaping, open-pollinated vegetable seed production, mushroom cultivation, hydroponics, and free-range chicken production.

The training included hands-on workshops and demonstrations, allowing participants to gain practical experience in mushroom production, hydroponics, and chicken management.

The 30 AEW participants also had a tour at the cold storage and seed processing facilities of CVRC. They had also the chance to visit the Region 02 Mushroom Research and Development Center under the DA Regional Crop Protection Center 02, at the City of Ilagan, Isabela, where the participants saw how RCPC produces mushrooms. They also had the chance to see the processes from the sterilization of materials used in the preparation of the protein bag to the incubation facility.

They visited also the Greenhouse Technology and Hydroponics of Cagayan State University - Carig Campus. They also had the chance to visit the Breeding Center of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture at the Brgy. Cansan, Cabagan, Isabela. 

Ms. Beverly Ann Indammo from Municipal Agriculture Office of Santo Nino, Cagayan said, “It is my first-time attending training on Urban Farming and I appreciate it because I learned a lot and I enjoy it. For me, this training is my standard. Honestly, it exceeded my standard of training.”