MARAGUSAN, DAVAO DE ORO | November 22, 2022 – Fifty (50) vegetable farmers from the different barangays in the municipality of Maragusan participated in the training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) during the Araw ng Maragusan last November 22, 2022 at the Agri Trade Fair Grounds, Brgy. Poblacion, Maragusan, Davao de Oro.

The said GAP training emphasized the fertilizer and pesticide proper application, disposal of empty pesticide containers, as well as the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS), and aimed to update and enhance the awareness and knowledge of the Vegetable Farmers on the Good Agricultural Practices from their current conventional type of farming which technically is not appropriate.

Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Provincial Officer Rustom Gain Tanduyan Tanduyan served as the resource speaker and discussed the two (2) modules of PhilGAP in Environmental Management and the Worker’s Health, Safety, and Welfare.

During the discussion, PO Tanduyan talked about the proper use and handling of agricultural inputs, the proper wearing of PPEs, and the importance of pesticide label information, including first aid management in case of accidental poisoning. He also mentioned the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL), Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI), Re-entry Period, Empty Pesticide Container Triple-Rinsing, Disposal, and Cocktailing of Pesticides.

Mr. Tanduyan also explained the reasons for the fertilizer price hike and introduced the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) program as an alternative way to lessen the dependency on commonly used chemical fertilizers and give enough balanced nutrients for plant growth. BFS is a program recommended by FPA and other DA agencies that applies the 4Rs in fertilization: Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate to help enhance soil health and productivity, prevent declining soil fertility and improve fertilizer availability and costs.

In addition, PO Tanduyan warned the participants to be vigilant about the proliferation of fake fertilizers and pesticides and to only patronize legit FP products from FPA-Licensed stores.

Through the partnership with the Maragusan Agriculture Service Office (MAGSO), FPA Davao de Oro looked forward to another series of training in the Municipality since Maragusan is one of the major sources of local vegetables and the farmers, as well as the barangay technicians, should be trained on the importance of GAP to ensure that all local commodities sold in the market are in accordance to GAP and food safety standards. ###