BAYBAY CITY, Leyte – ATI-RTC 8 conducted a three-day training on Nutrient Management for Cassava Production at the PhilRootcrops, VSU Campus on May 6-8, 2024. The training aimed to enhance participants' knowledge and skills in site-specific nutrient management for cassava production using the Nutrient Expert® for Cassava (NECPh) application.
The training covered several topics: Introduction to Digital Agriculture, e-Learning, Cassava Management Practices, INM on Cassava, Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) principles and results, and an overview and demonstration of NECPh features. With that, participants are expected to adapt digital agriculture basics, perform e-Learning tasks, guide farmers in adopting new cassava management practices, differentiate concepts and principles of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on cassava, and generate fertilizer recommendations using NECPh.
NECPh, a nutrient decision support tool available on desktop and Android platforms, helps local experts quickly formulate fertilizer recommendations for NSIC-registered and selected local cassava varieties. It follows the 4R nutrient stewardship principles and includes a profit analysis comparing current practices with recommended practices.
Participants downloaded and familiarized themselves with the NECPh application, conducted one-on-one farmer interviews at CCF Integrated Farm in Brgy. Bobon, Baybay City, and generated fertilizer recommendations. They also accessed e-Learning platforms, completed courses, and learned about digital mobile applications like SPIDTech, which aids in insect and pest management. A workshop on fertilizer computation was also conducted.
“The training was relevant because our municipality is not into rice production due to its topography as it is mountainous.” Stated Ms. Tessie Albarico, an AEW from San Ricardo, Southern Leyte. Their municipality have already engaged in cassava production however, there was no available market. Today, she hopes to revive their cassava industry and said that this training will be much help in jumpstarting this vision.
The training included a visit to the PhilRootcrops facilities, which oriented the participants about services for cassava and root crop farmers. The training was PRC-accredited, offering 9 CPD credit units to participants who were licensed agriculturists.
