TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte –Organic agriculture programs continue to encourage farmer practitioners and AEWs in Eastern Visayas to venture into the natural way of farming. ATI-RTC 8, through its Organic Agriculture focal, Ms. Graciel V. Gacutan, led a two-day training that aims to capacitate the participants in identifying and implementing alternative management of common vegetable insect pests and diseases.
Training participants took part in the field collection and identification of vegetable pests and diseases alongside discussions about Typhoon Risk Calendar for Projection, APM Concepts and Principles, and Common vegetable Pests. Resource speakers for the said training were Engr. Martina Reyna and Dr. Carlos S. dela Cruz.
Mr. Leodel Clamor, a participant from LGU-San Plicarpo, shared how the training has empowered him, especially in controlling pests and diseases. “I appreciate our field collection and identification of insects and diseases. The venue also helped us realize that organically, pests can also be controlled and managed. I will replicate what I have learned during our 3-day training and convince our farmers to practice organic farming.”
Another participant, Mr. Jayson Animas, appreciated the activities and the additional learning. “The discussion on the disease pyramid may serve as one of the important tools in dealing with pests and diseases problems of our vegetable farmers. As AEW, the learning I gained will be used by our clientele to improve their organic farming system.”
Participants were optimistic about the challenge of establishing at least one biocontrol laboratory per province. Dr. Carlos S. Dela Cruz, former regional Organic Agriculture focal at DA-RFO 8, is also willing to assist the local government units in establishing Biocon labs for free. Further, the participants agreed to use alternative pest management in promoting organic agriculture.
Twenty-four participants attended the Training on Alternative Pest Management for Vegetables on March 29-31, 2022 at La Granja de Reyna, Brgy. Bagacay, Tacloban City, Leyte.
