MAHAYAG, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR | February 9, 2023 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Region IX joined the medical students of Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) in their two-day community immersion program and discussed the importance of safe and judicious use of agricultural inputs to 90 farmers in Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur on February 7-8, 2023.

Regional Officer (RO) Alex Paalisbo and Provincial Officer (PO) Michael Tuico explained the occupational safety procedures in agriculture, emphasizing the basic information about pesticides and how to understand the pesticide labels to achieve the efficient use of farm inputs.

The team also discussed the proper handling of pesticides during transport, storage, disposal, and decontamination of empty pesticide containers and the importance of wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Further, the farmers were also trained in administering first aid in case of pesticide poisoning in their workplace.

The immersion program reached out to 90 farmers from Brgy. Sicpao and San Isidro in said community.