Farmer-beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2 under the Vegetable Production Project in Romblon underwent a series of training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Vegetable Production and Post-Harvest Management, as well as Integrated Crop Management (ICM) and Urban Gardening on April 14, 16, and 22.
These sets of training equipped participants with practical knowledge and techniques to enhance agricultural productivity while promoting sustainable and environment-friendly practices.
Members of the Hambil Vegetable and Fruit Growers Association (formerly Jolyn’s Vegetable and Fruit Growers Association) from the island municipality of San Jose; the Pangalagaan, Wastohin, Paggamit ng Kalikasan (PAWIKAN) and Toctoc Organic Farmers Association (TOFA) both from Banton; and the Linao Vegetable and Crop Growers Association (LVCGA) from Calatrava attended the training sessions.
Resource Speaker Jheraldin V. Villan of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Romblon National Institute of Technology (TESDA-RNIT) discussed the concepts and principles of Integrated Crop Management (ICM) and emphasized its role in optimizing crop production through proper soil management, pest control, and efficient use of resources.
She also introduced various urban gardening methods suitable for limited spaces, enabling farmers and households to grow their own food even in urban or semi-urban settings. The session also highlighted the importance of adopting sustainable farming practices for environmental conservation and long-term productivity.
Ms. Villain also discussed Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in vegetable production, from site selection to post-harvest handling. This includes proper land preparation, soil testing and improvement, and the use of certified, high-quality seeds and suitable vegetable varieties. She further outlined essential planting techniques, proper application of fertilizers, and effective pest, disease, and weed management strategies.
Participants were also reminded of the importance of crop rotation, farm hygiene, worker safety, proper harvesting techniques, and maintaining farm records to track production and inputs.
Serafin Manzo, Property Custodian of LVCGA, expressed his gratitude for the knowledge gained from the training, noting that it will significantly benefit their association.
“Maraming salamat po sa training na ito. Malaking tulong po ito para magkaroon po kami ng bagong kaalaman sa pagtatanim. Magandang opportunity po ito para sa amin at sayang kapag pinalampas dahil malaking tulong po ito sa pagpapaunlad ng proyekto ng aming asosasyon,” he said.
(Thank you very much for this training. It is a great help for us to gain new knowledge in planting. This is a valuable opportunity for us, and it would be a waste to miss it because it greatly contributes to the development of our association’s project.)
The training forms part of the SAAD Program’s continuing efforts to strengthen farmers’ capacity in sustainable vegetable production.
