DAVAO DEL NORTE | MAY 10, 2022 – Forty-one (41) mango contractors and growers from Samal City and other nearby provinces attended the first wave of FPA Davao Region’s (RFU 11) Mango Contractors Training held at Camp Holiday Resort, Island Garden City of Samal.

The training is designed to lecture handlers on the correct use of potassium nitrate as mango flower inducer and develop the awareness of the safe and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides (Fertilizer Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines, p. 72). 

FPA’s Deputy Director for Pesticide Eric Divinagracia and Regional Officer Marrisa Napalit, along with the City Agriculture’s Office representative Jimuel Rebigan, welcomed the participants and gave them an overview of the training.

Provincial Officers Cheery Agrade and Rustom Gain Tanduyan discussed PD 1144, including the creation, duties, and responsibilities of FPA. They also tackled EO 522 covering the FPA rules and regulations governing the mango industry, acquisition of use of nitrates, and recognition & first aid management on pesticide poisoning cases.

International Veterinary and Agrochemicals Inc (IVA) discussed the remaining technical topics, including plant nutrition, the correct use of mango flower inducer, cultural practices, insect pests, disease management, pesticide information, classification, and safe use in mango production.

FPA collaborated with IVA and the Island Garden City of Samal – City Agriculture Office to conduct the activity. The newly trained participants will be eligible to apply for a License to Operate (LTO). ###