Thirty members of an Indigenous People (IPs) community in barangay Calassitan, Sto. Niño, Cagayan, participated in Training on Bio-Intensive Gardening for Indigenous People organized by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 02 (ATI-RTC 02), at barangay Abariongan, Sto. Niño, Cagayan, on April 14-16, 2025.

Engr. Rosalie S. Tomaneng, municipal agriculturist of the said municipality, graced the opening program, where she welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of the training. She added that the indigenous people were the focus of the training and that it had been designed for them. She also expressed her appreciation for their effort in attending and noted their interest in learning for the progress and improvement of their living standards.

Furthermore, Ms. Noemi O. Valdez, Training Specialist II, introduced the topics and activities scheduled for the three-day event. She then commenced the lecture by discussing the Importance and Nutritive Value of Vegetables, and followed it with a session on Food Always in the Home (FAITH) gardening. Subsequently, Ms. Jean Randinne Y. Aquino, Technical Support Staff I, elaborated on the Importance and Techniques of Bio-Intensive Gardening. Following this lecture, the participants engaged in a hands-on activity where the proper method of setting up a garden plot was demonstrated. They also practiced the correct techniques for laying plastic mulch. The following day was dedicated to discussions on Urban Gardening and Solid Soil Amendments by Mr. Christian Mark V. Andres, Technical Support Staff I.

Meanwhile, Ms. Maria Ittapan, an IP member, appreciated ATI for making them feel that they were important and a priority. "Agyaman kami ket narikna mi nga importante ken priority da kami. Agyamanak met ken dagijay trainor mi ta adu ti nasursuro mi kadakwada. Iti tallu aldaw nga panagtraining mi ket adu ti nasursuro mi nga inted ti ATI. Ket umay kayun tu manen ta maitultuloy mi ti daytuy nga aktibidad iti community mi,” Ms. Ittapan said. (We are grateful that you have given us a sense of value and priority. We've learned a lot from our trainers, so I also want to thank them. During the three days of training, we learned a lot from the ATI. Kindly come back so that this activity will continue in our community.)

Moreover, the participants learned how to make liquid soil amendments such as IMO (Indigenous Microorganisms), FFJ (Fermented Fruit Juice), FPJ (Fermented Plant Juice), and KAA (Kuhol Amino Acid).

Ms. Noemi O. Valdez expressed her appreciation to the IP members for their significant effort in attending the training, applauding them for their active participation. She conveyed her hope that they had gained substantial knowledge that they could readily apply to their daily lives and that would contribute significantly to the well-being and progress of their community.

The said training for IPs aimed to enhance their knowledge, practical skills, and positive attitude towards sustainable agriculture, recognizing its potential as both a viable source of income and a pathway to ensuring food sufficiency within their households. Beyond these individual benefits, the training also served as a platform for strengthening their organizational cohesion, fostering a more dynamic and proactive partnership with the government in local development endeavors. It focused on educational opportunities that provide tangible avenues for the Indigenous Peoples' growth and overall development, holding the promise of significantly uplifting their living conditions and promoting greater self-reliance within their community.

~Career Development and Management Section