Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center 8 and Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 8 focal persons who attended the Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) National Training fulfilled their re-entry plan among Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in the region.
This is the conduct of the Training of Training on SSSNM for Cassava on October 2-6, 2023 at Hall C, ATI-RTC 8, VSU Campus, Baybay City, Leyte.
Nutrient Expert® for Cassava (NECPh) is a nutrient decision support tool in desktop and Android platforms that enable local experts to quickly formulate fertilizer recommendations for NSIC-registered and selected local cassava varieties in the Philippines. It is a learning tool that provides fertilizer recommendations and application following the 4R nutrient stewardship (right source, right rate, right time, and right place) and presents a simple profit analysis comparing costs and benefits between farmer’s current practices and the recommended improved practice.
With this, the tool will help farmers increase their yield and lessen expenses through the derived NECPh fertilizer management that is tailor-fitted to their location and maximizes locally available fertilizer sources.
Mr. Jethro J. Tantoy shares, “Sa Nutrient Expert, dako jud siya kayo ug gamit kay makita man nato gihapon sa pagpresent sa upat ka module. Makita jud nato nga makatipid jud ang farmer.”
Consequently, Ms. Ivan Joyce P. Bico emphasized the importance of inputting the correct data on the application. “Daghan kaayu mi nakatan-unan. Nagka-ada ko refresher course sa cassava production and then ang pag-adto field Nga nag-interview sa farmer, bisan dili sila kahatag ug mayo nga data, aligre gihapon. Overall, NECph is useful kayo basta make sure lang nato nga sakto ang pag-inoput nato sa data, kay ingon pa nila Ma’am, Garbage In, Garbage Out”.
Participants conducted farmer interviews and hands-on applications on the use of NECPh in Brgy. Bobon, Baybay City, Leyte.
Twenty-one AEWs assigned as cassava focals completed the five-day training. (With written reports from Gizell Jill Nuñez)
