In a continued effort to boost rice production and promote sustainable farming, the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPAG) of Apayao, through the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES), conducted a specialized training funded under the Rice Program Cluster Development Fund. The initiative aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of local farmers in managing and controlling pests and diseases in their rice farms.
A total of 25 rice farmers from various clustered associations and cooperatives across the province actively participated in the training program.
The event commenced with Mr. Romulo Padirayon of OPAG-Apayao welcoming participants and recognizing their commitment to agricultural development. In his inspirational message, Mr. Padirayon, emphasized the importance of treating farming as a serious enterprise. βFarming is a business, and if you make farming a business, I am sure that you will get serious because there is profit. If farming is a business, you need to learn and broaden your existing knowledge, and that is why we are here,β he exclaimed.
On the first day of the training, Ms. Zarah Faith Lunag from PhilRice Isabela delivered a comprehensive lecture on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), focusing on the identification and control of major insect pests and diseases affecting rice. Following this, Ms. Danessa Cynthia Mae Pacleb introduced the concept of Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA), guiding farmers through a field activity that involved observing crop health, soil conditions, and pest dynamics. This hands-on activity helped participants better understand the complex interactions within the agroecosystem and make informed decisions based on their observations.
The learning experience extended beyond pest management. Participants visited AR Santiago Farm Incorporated, a recognized learning site in Region 2, where farm owner Mr. Arnel Santiago shared his successful practices in fish farming, inspiring attendees to diversify and innovate in their own operations.
Additionally, the group toured five biocontrol laboratories housed at the Department of Agriculture Regional Crop Protection Center in Region 2. These included laboratories for Trichoderma, Metarhizium, Earwig, Mushroom, and Beauveria. Experts from each lab explained the benefits and applications of these biological control agents in managing farm pests sustainably.
As the training concluded, Engr. Jerry Batcagan of PhilRice Isabela commended the participants for their active engagement. He encouraged them to apply their newly acquired knowledge in their fields and to act as catalysts of change by sharing insights with fellow farmers.
The training marks a significant step toward empowering Apayaoβs agricultural sector, promoting integrated pest management farming practices that support long-term productivity and sustainability.//Jomar Guerzon, PAFES Technical Support Staff.
