Garchitorena farmers complete training on abaca propagation

PILI, CamSur—Fifty farmers from the municipality of Garchitorena finished a specialized training on abaca production conducted through the Farmers Field School (FFS) last August 13.

Farmers Field School has proven an effective way for the farmers to learn new technologies like the right techniques of planting abaca from the time of planting until harvest time.

Under FFS, what the trainees learned during the classroom lectures are applied during actual demonstration on-site at abaca plantations.

The trainees were taught the various aspects of abaca cultivation including the cultural management of the abaca plant, soil sampling and fertility analysis, land preparation, integrated pest management, weeds identification, production and post-production phases of abaca, and cost and return analysis.

Farmers Field School is fully supported by Governor LRay Villafuerte along his thrust to rehabilitate the production of abaca which was once a thriving industry in this province and a source of foreign exchange.

Presently, there is resurgence of high demand for the product in our country as well as in other countries due to environment and health concerns against synthetic fibers.

Guests during the closing program were agricultural experts from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), the Training Management Team composed of the resource speakers and facilitators during the six sessions of training.

FFS is also being conducted in other abaca producing municipalities like Caramoan, Presentacion, Goa, and Lagonoy. The trainings in the other towns will end on September this year. / LAGavino - MMEC

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