To further upskill farmers in their vegetable production venture, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office VI – Western Visayas conducted a comprehensive Training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in the barangays of Poblacion, Agbao, and Tubod, Bingawan, Iloilo from May 19 to 21, 2026.
The training addressed the knowledge gaps of 131 local farmers, equipping them with modern, safe, and sustainable agricultural techniques aimed at improving crop yields and securing food safety standards in their communities.
Ellen Banda, Agriculturist II from the Regulatory Division of DA-RFO VI, served as the primary resource speaker together with Gemma Lazarte, Agriculturist I. Throughout the training, Banda and Lazarte imparted critical insights into the core pillars of GAP, emphasizing chemical safety, environmental stewardship, waste management, and workers’ health and safety.
“Ang pag-adopt sang GAP indi na isa ka option kundi isa na ka kinahanglan agud masiguro nga safe kag mataas ang kalidad sang mga produkto kag pagkaon nga aton ginabaligya sa aton komunidad,” Banda highlighted during her presentation. “Sa pagsunod sa standards sang PhilGAP, maprotektahan ang aton mga mangunguma kag maka-produce sila sang dekalidad nga pagkaon para sa mga consumers.”
[Adopting Good Agricultural Practices is no longer just an option; it is a necessity to ensure that the food reaching our consumers’ tables is safe, high-quality, and sustainably produced. By aligning with PhilGAP standards, our farmers in Bingawan are not only protecting their consumers but are also elevating the quality and market value of their produce.]
The participants, many of whom are active members of local farmers’ associations supported by the SAAD program, engaged in orientation, interactive lectures, and open-forum discussions. The training focused heavily on proper pesticide and fertilizer management, post-harvest handling, and a guide to applying for PhilGAP certification.
The DA-SAAD Program Western Visayas continues to prioritize marginalized agricultural areas, providing them not just with quality seeds and tools, but the crucial technical “know-how” required to turn subsistence farming into profitable, climate-resilient agribusinesses.
With their newly acquired skills, the 131 trained farmers from Poblacion, Tubod, and Agbao are now better positioned to scale up Bingawan’s local vegetable supply, ensuring both food security and economic growth for their respective communities. ###
