To provide the Farmers Associations (FAs) with practical knowledge and insights on banana production through discussions and actual farm observations, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Region XII, through its Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) Unit, conducted an Educational Field Tour and Farm Visit conducted on September 17–18, 2026, in Kidapawan City, Cotabato Province.
Among the participating FAs were the Purok Santan Farmers Association, Kapit Farmers Association, and Manobisa Indigenous Farmers Association The field tour enhanced the farmers’ understanding of proper Lakatan production practices and exposed them to techniques that can be applied to improve their farms.
Ms. Precilla Taposok, the resource speaker of the said activity, shared her technical knowledge and firsthand experience in Lakatan production. Taposok discussed essential production practices, including proper site selection, soil type considerations, land preparation, and the selection of quality planting materials. She also emphasized the importance of cultural management, including the proper use of herbicides and insecticides, as well as appropriate fertilizer application.
Moreover, Taposok also discussed fertilizer management, where farmers were introduced to the importance of both macronutrients and micronutrients in maintaining healthy banana plants.
She compared plant nutrition to human nutrition, saying, “Ang tanom murag tao, kailangan sang mga nutrients. Pag kulang sa pagkaon, magpakita deficiencies.”
(Plants are like people; they need nutrients. When they lack nourishment, nutrient deficiencies begin to show.)
She explained that nutrient deficiencies can affect plant growth and productivity, underscoring the need for farmers to monitor their crops and provide the appropriate nutrients at the right time.
The training also covered pest and disease management and proper post-harvest practices, giving the participants a more comprehensive understanding of Lakatan production, from planting and crop maintenance to harvesting and handling of produce.
Through the educational field tour and farm visit, DA-SAAD XII provided the participating FAs with practical, farm-based knowledge that they can apply to their own Lakatan production activities. The activity is expected to help improve crop management, minimize production losses, and enhance the quality and productivity of their harvests, contributing to more sustainable agricultural enterprises and increased livelihood opportunities for farmer-beneficiaries.
