In line with the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office continued effort to capacitate its farmers and keeping them updated with relevant agri-technologies, the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office conducted two (2) training activities that focuses on postharvest handling and integrated pest management.

On June 21, 2022, PAGO through its Pest Clinic Services conducted the Banana Pests and Diseases Management Training at the PAGO Conference Room. A total of 18 participants attended the said activity composed mostly of Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) of the different municipalities in the province. The training aims to capacitate the AEWs who were the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) coordinators of their respective Municipal Agriculture Office’s on the identification, prevention, control and management of the banana pests and diseases. Mr. Edgardo S. Agoncillo, a faculty from the Mindoro State University serve as the resource speaker. Among the topic presented are the prevalent pests and diseases infestation in banana such as the anthracnose, fusarium wilt, bunchy top, sigatoka, freckles and mosaic.

Meanwhile, on June 27-29, 2022, the Agro-Resources Technology Management Division conducted the Training on Postharvest Handling of High Value Commercial Crops. The training was attended by 50 vegetable growers, high value crops farmers, AEWs, and students. The training activity focuses on the following crops; banana, calamansi, lowland vegetable, rambutan, lanzones, onion, and garlic. Ms. Leonisa A. Artes, University Extension Specialist from the University of the Philippines Los Bańos (UPLB) –Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center (PHTRC) serves as the resource person. Ms. Artes imparted with the participants the proper postharvest techniques on harvesting, sorting and grading, transporting, storing, and packaging. The virtual training was conducted via Zoom application and was also watched live in Facebook.

Capacity building activities for the farmers is a focal program of PAGO, and with the further devolution of the functions of the Department of Agriculture to the LGUs because of the implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling, PAGO will be implementing more trainings and will take a leading role in extension services in the province.