ILOCOS NORTE | August 02 – Provincial Officer (PO) Noel M. Tablada discussed the safe handling of pesticides and spray calibration during the DA-PhilRice’s RCEF – Rice Extension Services Program (RESP) on July 28, 2022, at PhilRice Gallery, NTA Bldg., Brgy. Tabug Batuc City, Ilocos Norte. 

PO Tablada discussed the importance of safe handling of pesticides emphasizing the following points:

• Pesticides are formulated to be toxic
• Pesticides can be dangerous if they are misused and handled wrongly
• Safe and effective handling and use of pesticides should be the concern of everyone
• Minimizing exposing oneself and the environment to the unwanted effects of pesticides

He also discussed the concept of calibration. Calibration is the process of determining the amount of spray solution delivered by specific equipment. This can be expressed on a “per minute” or “per unit area” by a spray man or individual who will be using the same equipment when applying pesticides in the field. This is important because this is part of calculating the desired dilution rates to meet a recommended dosage. 

A total of thirty-five (35) participants attended the training. They comprised agricultural extension workers (AEWs) and farm school owners from Region I. ###