Fifty-nine (59) members of the Nag-et Farmers Association (NFA) in Brgy. Cabuluan, Villaverde have completed the Greenhouse Management and Hands-on Training on Seedling Production and Vermicomposting conducted by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Cagayan Valley last June 25-26, 2025.
The training was facilitated with the expertise of resource persons from the DA-Nueva Vizcaya Experiment Station (NVES) which covered essential topics such as nursery management, asexual propagation, vegetable production, and vermicomposting. These skills are crucial in enhancing seedling survival, improving greenhouse management, and sustaining seedling supply for both home consumption and livelihood.
The knowledge and skills they gained from the training will be directly applied inside the greenhouse, which was part of the ₱425,000 worth of agricultural assistance package provided by the SAAD Program back in 2024. Other interventions include a two-wheel tractor with trailer, garden tools and equipment, heavy duty grass cutter, vegetable seeds, among others.
To help kickstart their seedling production efforts, additional support such as eggplant and bell pepper seeds was turned over after the training.
Further, Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) Sub-unit Lead Mr. Emelito M. Yuro added that the greenhouse has the capacity to produce up to 5,000 seedlings. Once the association scales up its production, the seedlings will be used for planting in both communal and individual gardens, with potential surplus sold to generate additional income for the farmers.
NFA President Marites Dung-ao Pale expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support.
“Salamat sa DA-SAAD sa walang sawang pagbibigay ng tulong sa aming mga farmers, makakaasa po kayo na ito’y aming gagamitin para makatulong sa pag-angat ng aming kabuhayan,” she added.
(Thank you to DA-SAAD for the unwavering support given to us farmers. You can count on us to use this to help improve our livelihood.)
To further ensure the full utilization of greenhouse facilities across the region, other SAAD-supported Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) who received similar interventions are also scheduled to undergo the same capacity-building activities. ###
