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
LIKE & SHARE US ON FACEBOOK
