PALO, Leyte – Twenty farmers from across the region, along with YIPOA interns, participated in AI RTC 8’s five-day Training on Organic Agriculture held February 9–13, 2026 at the 4H-Hub in Candahug, Palo, Leyte. The activity aimed to enhance participants’ capacity to produce cost-efficient and compliant organic fertilizers and feeds to reduce production costs, improve farm productivity, and support organic certification.
The training introduced participants to the principles of Organic Agriculture and the Philippine National Standards (PNS) relevant to Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) and organic certification. Sessions also covered soil fertility management, organic feed formulation, and suitable crops and forages for organic feeds. Through practical demonstrations, participants engaged in proper feed mixing, organic fertilizer preparation, and the use of composting facilities for biodegradable wastes.
Hands-on activities formed the core of the training, including the preparation of Rhodopseudomonas, JADAM Liquid Solution (JLS), and JADAM Organic Liquid Fertilizer (JOLF), as well as substrate preparation for biocomposting. Participants also learned about integrating Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL) into feed production to convert farm and kitchen wastes into high-protein feed. The “Web of Life” activity further deepened their understanding of ecological balance and the importance of returning to organic and nature-based farming systems.
Participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from known hands-on practitioners in the region. Roldan Taypa of Silago, Southern Leyte, shared that the training would greatly benefit their Organic Poultry Free-Ranged Chicken Production project especially on organic feed mixing.
Another participant, Elisa G. Barrantes of Daram, Samar, said the sessions affirmed their ecological practices and strengthened her commitment to organic farming. “The web of life helps me to deepen my commitment to organic farming and to my community.” For her, the training allowed her to do things organically in the right manner.
Meanwhile, Renier Sangcajo, a YIPOA Batch 3 graduate from Alangalang, Leyte, highlighted how JADAM and BSFL technologies demonstrated that farming can be simple, low-cost, and sustainable. “Making organic fertilizer helped me understand that healthy soil is the foundation of healthy crops. All these learnings taught me to work with nature not against it, and practice sustainable farming for the future.”
With strengthened knowledge and renewed commitment, participants are expected to champion organic practices in their respective communities—promoting healthier soils, lower production costs, and more sustainable farming systems across the region.
