Participants proudly pose with their certificates, joined by Center Director Elsa A. Parot (seated, fifh from the left) and the training management team.
NABUA, Camarines Sur – The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 5 conducted the Training of Trainers on Cultural Management Practices of the Top Five Vegetable Crops from February 24-28, 2025, at the Macagang Business Center in Nabua, Camarines Sur. The training aimed to enhance the skills of 20 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and 11 farmer-leaders from Bicol’s six provinces in cultivating squash, eggplant, pole sitao, taro, and chili pepper—the top vegetable crops in the region.
The program began with an opening ceremony led by ATI Bicol High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Poinet Person Mr. John Kenneth M. Gelario, who welcomed participants and outlined the training agenda. ATI Bicol Assitant Center Director Dr. Emmanuel L. Orogo delivered the opening address, emphasizing the importance of sustainable vegetable production. Over the next three days, experts presented technical sessions on climate change, crop management, seed production, post-harvest technologies, crop diversification, balanced fertilization, and value-adding practices. These sessions gave participants practical knowledge to improve production efficiency and market competitiveness.
On the fourth day, participants visited the Deloverges Agri Farm and MRE Agricultural Farm, both accredited Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs). The hands-on experience enabled participants to validate theoretical knowledge through real-world observations. Learning journals were shared afterward, fostering group reflection and discussion on the lessons gained during the field visits.
The final day focused on marketing strategies for lowland vegetables and a Gender and Development (GAD) session, which included discussions on the Magna Carta for Women and strategies for addressing gender-related challenges in agriculture. Participants also engaged in SMART re-entry planning to design action plans to apply their learnings in their communities.
The training concluded with a graduation ceremony, where participants were awarded certificates of completion. In her closing message, ATI Bicol Center Director Ms. Elsa A. Parot commended the participants’ active involvement and emphasized the role of continuous capacity-building initiatives in achieving sustainable vegetable production for the Bicol Region.
