Barangay-based 'Plant, Plant, Plant' Program of the Department of Agriculture’

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I), in partnership with the Municipal Agricultural Office of Sta. Barbara, and barangay officials of Tebag East, conducted a seminar on barangay-based household gardens and distribution of starter kits last April 29, 2020 at the Barangay Hall of Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. Social distancing of participants was observed during the one-hour seminar and distribution of vegetable seeds.

ATI-RTC I, headed by Center Director Rogelio Evangelista, continues to amplify its effort to support the Plant, Plant, Plant Program/Campaign of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The program aims to ensure sustained food production and availability, food accessibility and affordability during this emergency situation.

Likewise, ATI-RTC I responds to the DA’s call not only to address food adequacy and sustainability but to reach out and extend help to the community. During the seminar, ATI-RTC I Agriculturist II Almera Montano discussed how to use molasses as ingredient in making concoctions. She presented videos on how to prepare fermented plant juice (FPJ), fermented fruit juice (FFJ) and fish amino acid that the participants can use as their organic fertilizers. 

She also explained how to plant in a limited space, the methods of conventional gardening, container gardening, and wall gardening. The topics gave the participants idea on how to plant the seeds they received using their available lands and small spaces at home during the community quarantine.

The highlight of the activity includes the distribution of vermicast (25 kg), seedling trays, and vegetable seeds like upo, kalabasa, sitaw, ampalaya, talong, pechay, cucumber and okra to the participants and other residents and barangay officials of the said barangay. The aforementioned vegetables are expected to grow and be harvested after one to three (1-3) months.

“Pag maitanim namin ang mg buto sa aming mga bakuran at sa paso, at magbunga na, meron kaming pagkukuhanan ng aming makakain lalo na’t hindi pa natin alam kung hanggang kelan pa itong quarantine na kinakaharap natin. Malaking tulong ito hindi lamang sa pagkain ng aming pamilya kundi pati na rin sa aming karagdagang kita,” Mr. Artemio Baribal, resident-beneficiary, said.

In addition, ATI-RTC I distributed molasses to each beneficiary to fully promote organic gardening. When molasses is added to organic fertilizers, this provides food for the healthy microbes in the soil. The greater amount of microbial activity in the soil, the healthier plants will be. 

Molasses can also be added to water and sprayed on plant leaves or poured on the soil. When the molasses is sprayed directly on plant leaves, the nutrients and sugar are absorbed quickly, and nutrients are immediately available. (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/feeding-...).

As part of its information and dissemination campaign, ATI-RTC I also gave away free IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials auxiliary to the starter kits given to the 30 beneficiaries of Barangay Tebag East during the activity. The total number of beneficiaries exceeded ATI-RTC I’s target (for this activity) of 20 (beneficiaries).

Indeed, ATI-RTC I’s extension services are measured not only through the number of its training or trainees, but how the training impact the lives of many. ATI-RTC I does not just train, but also empowers families to plant their own food as well as inculcate in their minds and hearts that planting is a big help to this crisis. “Hindi lang pagtatanim, kundi ma-sustain ‘yong pagkakaroon ng safe at healthy na pagkain para sa family,” Agriculturist II Almera Montano stated. (Contents reposted from ATI in Ilocos Region website)

LIKE & SHARE US ON FACEBOOK