TRECE MARTIRES CITY – To intensify the promotion of urban and peri-urban agriculture production technologies in both urban and rural areas, the Department of Agriculture (DA) implements the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP). NUPAP aims to alleviate food insecurity due to the increasing population, losses brought by natural disasters, and the prevalence of pests and diseases.
To support the said program, DA-ATI CALABARZON spearheaded the “Capability Building for Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Technologies Phase 1 & 2,” conducted from April 15-20, 2024, at the DA-ATI CALABARZON in this city.
Facilitated by the Center’s Career Development and Management Section (CDMS), the training aims to increase the pool of trainers and enhance the knowledge and skills of AEWs who are capable of providing technical assistance on urban and peri-urban agriculture production technologies through various lecture sessions as well as microteaching.
The training highlighted various urban agriculture technologies such as gardening in raised beds, square-foot gardening, utilization of various containers, vertical gardening, planting of herbs and spices, aquaponics, hydroponics, and edible landscaping in lectures and discussions. In Phase 2, each participant presented various topics in a microteaching activity.
Thirty (30) Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in the region successfully completed the training program and earned 13 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
“Lahat ng mga objectives po natin at expectations bago tayo magsimula noong Day 1 ay natupad at nahigitan pa,” shared by Ms. Myra Albajera from San Pablo City. Sa Agricultural Training Institute, lubos po akong nagpapasalamat sa walang-sawang pagsuporta at pagbibigay ng kaalaman sa amin. Asahan nyo po na sa pag-uwi namin sa aming mga probinsya, dadalhin po namin ang lahat ng inyong pabaon at mas papalawakin pa namin ang urban at peri-urban agriculture sa aming mga bayan,” she added.
Meanwhile, DA-ATI CALABARZON’s OIC-Assistant Center Director Ms. Sherylou C. Alfaro graced the closing ceremony and delivered her congratulatory message to the completers.
Ulat ni: Bb. Janine Cailo
