MASBATE, January 3, 2022– Forty (40) Maglambong-Cantorna, Monreal Fruit and Vegetable Farmers’ Association (FA) members graduated from Season Long Farmer Field School (FFS) on Vegetable Production Technology under the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program.

The event took place on December 22, 2021, at the Municipal Gymnasium, Poblacion, Monreal, Masbate.

The FFS aims to enhance the association’s production practices and improve farming activities through hands-on activities and the presentation of vegetable production technology lectures.

Launched on September 30, 2021, the training came with farming support provisions such as 50 bags of organic fertilizers, four bags of complete fertilizer, two bags of urea, four rolls of vegetable twine, 18 seedling trays, a roll of plastic mulch, and assorted vegetable seeds amounting to Php 50,000 under the High-Value Crops Production Project.

Municipal High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Coordinator Engr. Cleolaine C. Garbo facilitated the introduction of 44 FFS graduates.

Present during the graduation were Municipal Agriculturist (MA) Dr. Melcris A. Castro and Executive Assistant Vimben M. Espiloy from the local government unit (LGU) Monreal.

MA Castro encouraged the association to continue what they have started and look at themselves with pride in having a noble profession as farmers.

SAAD Action Officer Dr. Mary Grace DP. Rodriguez also sent video message for the association. “Lubos ang pasasalamat namin sa DA sa pagt-tyaga na tapusin ang FFS na ito, napakahalaga ng activity na katulad nito para mas dumami at madagdagan ang inyong kaalaman kung paano magkaroon ng maayos na produksyon (We are grateful to the DA for the FFS, this kind of activity is really important to increase and gain more knowledge towards a more efficient production),” she shared.

Meanwhile, SAAD Masbate Provincial Coordinator Jose M. Barquero extended his greetings to the  association saying, “Congratulations sa inyo, alam naming na marami kayong natutunan na magiging kapakipakinabang sa inyo lalo na sa pagproduce ng gulay (Congratulations to all of you, we know that you really learn a lot which will be beneficial to the group especially in vegetable production).”

The association meets every Friday for the lecture and hands-on activities at the FFS site measuring 1,514 square meters at Sitio Kapatagan, Cantorna, Monreal, Masbate. The area was voluntarily lent by the association president, Norma B. Arcenal.

Cultural management in vegetable production was emphasized by HVCDP Provincial Coordinator Cita F. Caňa from the provincial local government unit (PLGU) Masbate. Topics she discussed include

• site location and lay-outing,
• land preparation and plot beds-making,
• preparation of soil media,
• seed selection and seed sowing,
• installation of plastic mulch,
• transplanting and its advantages,
• fertilizer management and application,
• water management and application,
• weed management,
• pest and disease management,
• trellising, pruning, trimming, and ratooning,
• proper harvesting, and
• postharvest handling.

Moreover, hands-on activities and special topics discussed were farm planning, making of concoctions (organic fertilizer), seed production, and simple bookkeeping.

Monreal SAAD Area Coordinator Dave M. Villanueva and HVCDP Agricultural Technician Novelen B. Laurio from PLGU Masbate also assisted the resource person and the association throughout the conduct of the FFS.

Further, the association plans to continue on vegetable production and expand their area with the technical knowledge acquired by the members during the FFS training.

The association is one of the targeted beneficiaries of the Enterprise Development Project for 2022. ###

Writer: Angelica A. Blanco, RPMSO Information Officer

Source:

Angineth SC. Salcedo, RPMSO SAAD-HVCDP Technical Staff

Jay A. Ogaya, SAAD Masbate Information Officer

Dave M. Villanueva, SAAD Masbate Area Coordinator

Photo Source:

Jay A. Ogaya, SAAD Masbate Information Officer

Dave M. Villanueva, SAAD Masbate Area Coordinator