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“As we empower you, you empower the children which you are handling, because we believe that you will lead the next generation, which will be the future of our country.” This is the message of Assistant Director Herminigilda A. Gabertan, Ph.D., during the opening of a just-concluded training for urban gardening.

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The event is the Training of Trainors on Urban Garden and Peri-Urban Technologies and Management for Vegetable Production, held at the Director’s Office Conference Room from April 23-24, 2025, hosted by the Bureau of Plant Industry’s Crop Research and Production Support Division (BPI-CRPSD) in partnership with the National Urban and Peri-Urban Program (NUPAP).

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Assistant Director Gabertan emphasized the training’s impact by highlighting the pressing issues of decreasing land, a ballooning population, and alarmingly low vegetable consumption, and she cited this program’s empowerment efforts as good news in response to these challenges.

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Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for the attendees’ enthusiasm. “I am delighted to be with you, and I sincerely thank you for accepting our invitation to train you as trainers in this agriculture program.” Director Glenn then noted urban agriculture as one of the newest initiatives of the Department of Agriculture. He underscored the trainers’ vital role, asserting that food production is the most critical aspect of this program and that the goal of urban agriculture is to establish a sustainable alternative food system.

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During Day 1 of the training, the CRPSD provided engaging activities and thought-provoking lessons. These lessons are:

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Introduction to NUPAP – John Carlo Ruzon

Introduction to Urban Gardening – Clyde Mark Domingo

Urban Agriculture Technologies, Management and Maintenance – Jona Vioren Ramos and Mark Kenneth Sierra

Production of Organic Soil Amendments and Fertilizers – Jenny Lyn Patungan

Integrated Pest Management in Urban Areas – Jairus Abellar and Marion Saint Cadawas

Seed Processing and Seed Storage – Mark Christopher Valdez

Day 2 provided practical application of the learned concepts through hands-on practicums:

Preparation of Natural Fermented Solution – Carlo Castillo and Rommel Robles

Vermicomposting – Juvinile Malbas and Inocencio Dizon

Seedling Production- Clyde Mark Domingo and John Pascual

BCA Field Application – John Mark Nadera and Saje Bugnosen

Seedling Processing facilitated -Mark Christopher Valdez and Raymond Estanol

Tour at BPI Urban Techno-Demo Area – Jona Vioren Ramos and Mark Kenneth Seirra

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Attendees received tokens as appreciation for their active participation.

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By mastering the hands-on application of the practicum and incorporating the lessons given, they are expected to contribute to long-term food security, encourage sustainable agricultural practices, and ensure the empowerment of their children or students, who will bring about positive change in the country’s agriculture.

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(042525-38)