The Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) – National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP), successfully spearheaded the “OALEVELUP: Capability Building for Local Government Units (LGUs) on Organic Agriculture” on April 20–23, 2026, at Ala Amid Bed and Breakfast, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The four-day training aimed to strengthen the knowledge and technical competencies of Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in implementing organic agriculture programs at the LGU level.
It also supported the DA’s community-based initiative, “KABABAIHAN AT KABATAAN PARA SA KALUSUGAN, KALIKASAN AT KABUHAYAN (5Ks),” which promotes organic gardening among women and youth to advance nutrition, environmental protection, and livelihood.
During the training, the participants were provided with technical inputs on organic agriculture systems, including soil health management, plant nutrition, and integrated pest and disease control. The lectures also highlighted the roles of LGUs and national agencies in achieving food security, food safety, and sustainable agriculture, in line with Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01 issued by the DA and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
A key highlight of the training was a workshop facilitated by DA-NOAP resource speakers on establishing communal organic gardens. Participants were grouped and tasked to develop a one-hectare production plan, including crop selection, planting schedules, yield estimates, cost analysis, income projections, and cash flow assessment.
The said exercise helped participants identify suitable vegetable crops, determine proper planting distances, plan planting schedules, and estimate yields and market prices based on available data and practical assumptions. Each group presented viable production plans, highlighting communal organic gardening as a sustainable strategy for livelihood and food security.
One of the participants, Mr. Renelito F. Diwa, Agriculturist II from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Taytay, Palawan, emphasized the importance of strengthening farmers’ financial literacy and knowledge of organic farming.
“Sa tingin ko, naging napakabunga ng apat na araw na pagsasanay. Marami akong natutunan, lalo na sa organic farming at financial management. Nakita ko ang kahalagahan ng pagbabahagi ng kaalaman sa mga magsasaka, lalo na sa kabataan, upang matulungan silang pamahalaan ang kanilang sakahan bilang negosyo,” he shared.
The training was facilitated by resource persons from ATI-MIMAROPA and DA-MIMAROPA Region, including Engr. Karen T. Vicente, Mr. Jomel S. Pasia, Ms. Khorina Nina S. Padilla, and Ms. Maricris A. Locquiao of DA-NOAP.
A total of 20 AEWs from various LGUs in Palawan participated in the training.
