Thirty Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and farmers from different municipalities of Romblon participated in the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Lowland Vegetables with Emphasis on Bio-Pesticides/Botanical Extracts at the University Hostel, Romblon State University, Odiongan, Romblon on March 10, 2025.
This five-day training aimed to equip the AEWs and farmers in the use of biopesticides and botanical extracts as sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides.
One of the highlights of the training was the field visit to the Malilico Farmers Association (Ma-FA), where the participants identified pests and diseases in real field conditions and applied their IPM decision-making skills to suggest appropriate control measures for insects, pests, weeds, and crop diseases. They were also informed about strategies to prevent fall armyworm damage to Ma-FA members.
Another workshop activity allowed the participants to practice knapsack sprayer calibration and the preparation of botanical concoctions/pesticides. Moreover, they were also required to prepare, submit, and present their re-entry plans to ensure that their learnings from this training would be shared with other farmers.
As the training concluded, the participants expressed their appreciation for the training, as they could relay the knowledge they gained to their clients.
“Napaka-praktikal po ng mga topics na magagamit namin agad at maishare din namin agad bilang AEWs at pati na rin sa mga farmers na kasama namin. Excited po akong i-share ang mga natutunan ko, particularly po pagdating doon sa mga concoctions na dati, akala ko ang hirap-hirap gawin, pero hindi naman pala. Nakaka-enjoy po siyang gawin kasi yung mga materyales na nakikita namin sa paligid ay pwede palang gamitin bilang mga alternatibo,” shared Ms. Jedy M. Balla, Agricultural Technologist from MAO-Romblon, Romblon.
