The Agricultural Training Institute-Central Luzon (ATI-CL) conducted a Training Course on Soilless Farming 1 under the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) from April 2-4, 2025, held at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
The training was attended by twenty-six (26) participants, comprised of ten (10) Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) Cooperators in the region; two (2) Farmer Leaders of Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) from Bataan; and fourteen (14) Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from provinces of Bataan, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija, which aimed to equip participants with knowledge and skills in different soilless farming technologies and they can transfer to their respective clients in their areas.
The training commenced with an opening program where Ms. Babelyn P. Lopez, Training Specialist II of ATI-RTC III, acknowledged the participants. Dr. Eugenia Baltazar of CLSU welcomed the attendees, expressing gratitude for the ongoing partnership between the two institutions in extension services.
Engr. Rannel S. Cruz, Technical Support Staff presented an overview of the activity, followed by the leveling of expectations facilitated by Mr. Ronell D. Lagaria, Administrative Staff.
Dr. Joey A. Belarmino, Center Director of ATI-CL, expressed his appreciation to the participants, resource person, CLSU, and the training management team for their active involvement in the integration and development of the region's agriculture sector.
He emphasized the crucial role of each individual in ensuring food safety and security and affirmed ATI-Cl’s commitment to providing necessary training and capacity-building activities.
The first day's discussions included Urban Agriculture by Ms. Lopez, Introduction to Soilless Farming by Engr. Cruz, and Soilless Farming Technologies by Dr. Claire Marie M. Castillo of CLSU.
Furthermore, the second day focused on Cultural Management Practices in Soilless Production and Greenhouse Designs, presented by Dr. Carolyn Grace G. Somera of CLSU, and Financial Analysis in setting up a soilless farm by Dr. Castillo.
Additionally, the participants visited the Soilless Farming Technologies developed by CLSU's Precision and Digital Agriculture Center for Technology (PreDiCT) and Center for Hydroponics and Aquaponics Technologies (CHAT), which enabled them to personally witness the principles and components of each technology presented to them.
Moreover, the final day focused on practical demonstrations of hydroponics farming facilitated by Engr. Roan F. Beronilla and Engr. Roxane A. Cantor of MIKAI Agri-Trading. Activities included seed sowing, transplanting, and setting up a hydroponics system for leafy vegetable production.
Participants also toured the production area of The Oasis Place, showcasing commercial soilless culture of leafy vegetables and fruit crops using vertical tower, A-frame, and Dutch bucket systems.
The completion of the training marked the beginning of the participants' responsibility to apply and share the knowledge and skills they have acquired to their respective clients.
