LGU Nursery Managers and Private Nursery Operators Trains on Plant Nursery Establishment, Management and Accreditation

In preparation for the Mandanas Ruling, a collaborative effort of the DA RFO CAR, BPI, BPI-NSQCS and ATI conducted the “Training on Plant Nursery Establishment, Management and Accreditation for LGU Nursery Managers and Private Nursery Operators of CAR” on March 19-21, 2024. This is to provide information on the procedures and guidelines for plant nursery accreditation and provide technical skills for LGU nursery managers, and private nursery operators, and leaders for a sustainable supply of plant materials.

Participants were immersed in the following topics: Climate Change; Filipino Values and Leadership; Guidelines on Plant Quarantine Systems; Guidelines on Plant Nursery Accreditation with emphasis on the different Department Circulars and Administrative Circulars such as the DC 02, series of 2018 (Guidelines for the Production/Procurement of Quality Planting Materials of Fruits and Plantation Crops, Admin Circular 02. Series of 2018. Prescribed Buying and Selling Prices of Good and Quality and Certified Plant Materials, the       DC 01. Series of 2020 - Guidelines on Plant Nursery Accreditation for Government and Private Plant Nursery Operators and their Nurseries, the DC 02. Series of 2020. Revised General Guidelines for Certification of Mother Trees and Planting Materials of Fruit and Plantation Crops, and the Guidelines in the Establishment of Foundation/Scion Grove, Source Bush or budwood garden, seed and mother clonal garden); Plant Nursery Establishment; Certification of Mother Tree and Planting Materials, and establishment of scion grove.

A demonstration and hands-on activity were done particularly on asexual propagation and sexual propagation. With the supervision of the resource persons and the training management team, each participant enjoyed their practicum and had the chance to show how grafting and budding techniques were done

During the closing program, Ms. Jhun Dolawen, teacher of Cristina Gonzales Memorial High School of Bucay, Abra, thanked the ATI for including them in the training. Because they wanted to establish a functional nursery in their school, she made sure that every topic was clear to her so he made use of the time to ask questions for her to gain a better understanding of Nursery Establishment, Management, and even how to be accredited. She wanted to clear up things to avoid any lapses if ever they wanted to implement or put up a school nursery.

Also, Mr. Rolulo Padirayon of PLGU Apayao exclaimed that the training was timely and very relevant. The province of Apayao has a Provincial Nursery but they are not yet accredited. “This training is very timely because we have learned a lot, particularly on the guidelines of plant nursery accreditation and certification,” he continued.

A total of 55 participants participated in the said activity representing various PLGUs and MLGUs of CAR.