LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC), in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), held recently a learning journey and orientation on Safe Vegetable Production Technology Dissemination and Vegetable Distribution System Improvement (SAVERS) Project for agricultural extension workers (AEWs) and farmer leaders from the different regions.
Some 24 representatives from regions I, II, III, Calabarzon, and V participated in the activity.
The learning journey started with a farm visit at the Reotutar Institute of Science, Arts, and Trades (RISATI) in Villasis, Pangasinan. The participants were warmly welcomed by Pastor Dominador Ubaldo, President of RISATI, and SAVER Project Administrator Ryoji Sakamoto, while Senior Technical Guidance staff of JAEC, Wilfredo De Chavez, presented an overview of the activity.
The group explored the RISATI Urban Garden and listened to the knowledge sharing on Mokusaku Japanese Technology, Tissue Culture Room, Butterfly Sanctuary, and Organic Vanilla Production Area. The next four days of the activity were devoted to the lecture series on the utilization and production of Mokusaku “wood vinegar technology, first-hand experience on the produce of the adopters of SAVERS Technology in Benguet, and farm tours where the said technology is being practiced.
Now on its second year of project implementation, the SAVERS project aims to curtail production costs and enhance income for farmers with the technologies using charcoal, wood vinegar, and compost.
This strategic collaboration underscores the shared dedication of JAEC and ATI and emphasizes their joint efforts to deliver continuous training particularly to AEWs and farmer-leaders on the latest Japanese agricultural technologies and advancements. Such training initiatives aim to contribute in achieving both food security and economic stability in the Philippines' agricultural sector.
