Bohol – Thirty-five (35) potential dairy producers concluded a 3-month long Farmer’s Field School (FFS) on Forage and Pasture Establishment and Management on November 18, 2024, at Barangay Zamora, Talibon this province.

On June 19-21, this year, the Agricultural Training Institute—VII (ATI-7) conducted a three-day training on Forage and Pasture Establishment and Management at a Hotel in Jagna, Bohol.

Twenty-five (25) livestock coordinators and farmers across the region participated in the event, including Mr. Jodelle Estillore from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) Talibon who spearheaded the FFS as part of his re-entry plan. Instead of just 3 days of training, he made it into a season-long, thus making it the first FFS for the livestock category in the province.

The FFS on Forage and Pasture Establishment and Management, which started in August this year, aims for the participants to gain skills to establish and manage sustainable forage production areas, including communal plots for a steady supply of planting materials. Participants will also learn year-round forage and pasture management, assess forage quality, and practice proper planting and propagation techniques. The training also featured hands-on activities such as silage production, creating urea molasses-based feed supplements, and producing organic fertilizer using the Takakura method for forage and other crops. 

Aside from the topics discussed, activities, and field monitoring, a capability building on Farm Record Keeping, and Cost and Return Analysis was conducted to enhance the participants’ skills in managing farm operations effectively and optimizing profitability. All are geared towards an increase in production and income among participants.

Gracing the Field Day and Graduation were Municipal Councilor Noemi Valmoria, Dr. Maria Dinah Loculan – Center Director of Philippine Carabao Center – VII (PCC-7) with Senior Agriculturist Gaudioso Calibugan who served as Resource Speaker of the season-long training, and Doris Isabel Racho, DM of ATI-7 who represented its Center Director and Project Officer of the initial training held in Jagna. 

In her message, Dr. Loculan encouraged all participants to apply their newfound knowledge to improve production. Meanwhile, ATI-7 Center Director Gracia F. Arado, PhD extended her congratulations through a Certificate of Appreciation awarded to MAO Talibon in recognition of their efforts to cascade the knowledge and skills gained from ATI-7 training into tangible action which serves as an inspiring model for sustainable agricultural practices.

“Daghang salamat aning FFS kay daghan kayo mi nakat-unan. Karon pa mi nakahibaw nga mao diay niwang among kabaw kay kulang sa proteins.  Karon nakamao nami unsaon pag gama ug UMB (Urea, Molasses Block) making ug Takakura fertilizer nga among magamit” – said Mrs Madelyn Polistico one of the graduates.