BENGUET | September 2, 2022 – The FPA-CAR partnered with various government agencies and the private sector to deliver informational activities as part of the Agency’s mandate. For August, the region was able to educate 596 participants, comprising 466 farmers and fisherfolks, 99 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), and 31 potential fertilizer and pesticide dealers.

The team headed by Mr. Rogelio B. Tanguid conducted safe and judicious use of fertilizer and pesticide products cum Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) lectures during the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training and other capability buildings

A total of six trainings were conducted in Benguet and Baguio City. These trainings were in collaboration with the different private and public organizations. These include:

• The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Benguet for their Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries. The GAP training was conducted on August 03, at Central Barangay Hall, Kapangan, with 19 officers and selected Kapangan Central Credit and Savings Cooperative members.
• The DA-CAR, for the beneficiaries of the livelihood project through the Adaptation Mitigation Initiative for Agriculture (AMIA) Project. The training was conducted last August 04, at Abatan, Buguias, with 40 farmers as participants.
• The Office of the Municipal Agriculture – LGU La Trinidad, which 37 farmers attended. The training was conducted at Benguet State University (BSU) Gladiola Center on August 11.
• The DA-CAR and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) – CAR for the “Training on Site Specific Nutrient Management Nutrient Expert for Maize.” A total of 34 AEWs attended the training on August 23 and 31
• A training on “Retooling on Chemical Handling and Management” by Baguio National Crop Research Development and Production Support Center of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI-BNCRDPSC) was conducted last August 24, 2022. A total of 30 field personnel of BPI attended the activity.
• 347 farmers attended the 1st Kiangan Farmers and Fisherfolks Week last August 25, 2022, at Poblacion, Kiangan, Ifugao. FPA-CAR discussed the safe and effective use of fertilizer and pesticide products. The activity was in collaboration with the LGU Ifugao.

On the other hand, there were two trainings conducted in Kalinga. These include the training on the safe and effective use of fertilizer and pesticide products conducted last August 08, 2022, at the Legislative Building, PBR Compound, Liwan West, Rizal, Kalinga. A total of 35 participants attended the activity. This was in collaboration with the Municipal Local Government of Rizal, Kalinga, together with the Civic Society Organization officers and representatives. Moreover, a GAP training on bananas was conducted for 22 members of the Daram-Cudal Multipurpose Cooperative. The said activity was conducted last August 16, 2022, in collaboration with DAR-Kalinga and the Office of the Agricultural Services – Kalinga.

Apart from the collaborative trainings, the team also conducted two Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training attended by 31 participants from Ifugao and Benguet. The training was conducted last August 11-12, 2022, and August 15-16, 2022, respectively. ASD is part of the information campaign of the Agency on the safe use of f/p. To date, four establishments have been granted a License to Operate as a dealer.

Through the continuing partnerships and collaborations with various agencies, more activities in the following months will be participated in by the FPA-CAR. They aim to discuss the safe and effective use of FP products cum BFS to strengthen the understanding of the farmers in these topics.

Further, the team coordinated with the CIDG Benguet PFU to file a case against an unscrupulous dealer of unregistered pesticide products. The case was filed last August 16, 2022, for violations of sections 8 & 9 of the PD1144.

The team assured its partners that they would continue their partnership with the stakeholders to strengthen the region’s information and enforcement campaign. ###