FPA, ATI capacitate 28 Local Farmer Technicians on pest and nutrient management

Written by : Christopher M. Nuñez |  Published: 02 May 2023

NABUA, CAMARINES SUR | April 28, 2023 – The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Bicol tapped the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) as one of the resource speakers to 28 Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs) during the refresher course on Pest and Nutrient Management on April 24-28, 2023, at Macagang Business Center, Nabua, Camarines Sur.

Provincial Officers (POs) Winsor Nueva and Christopher Nuñez explained the cause of the ongoing price hike of fertilizer in the market and promoted the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) as an alternative solution to the problem.

BFS is a program 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.

Further, the team also equipped the LFTs with safe and effective use of agricultural pesticides, especially on reading the pesticide label and the secure handling of the said products. In addition, they highlighted the importance of awareness as a precaution to avoid pesticide poisoning in the field.

The participants were later warned about the increasing number of fake and off-specification fertilizers and pesticides in the market. They urged them to double-check the products by checking them on the FPA website at Registered Products (da.gov.ph).

The activity was organized by Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Bicol, which aimed to provide the LFTs with knowledge and skills on the updated pest and nutrient management in the field, specifically using ICT-based tools on pests and nutrients.

Attendees were from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon. ###

  Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Online ISSN: 2815-1674
  Published by the FPA Information and Communications Team