Capitol Trains CTU-Argao Students on Organic Farming

Farmers are not the only ones capable of planting crops; students can possibly do it too, in sustainable and organic ways.

The Cebu Provincial Government, through the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), recently conducted a two-day hands-on training on alternative agriculture system for agriculture students of the Cebu Technological University (CTU) – Argao Campus.

The workshop, held last March 8 and 9, highlighted the vermicomposting technique or the use of worm waste and decomposing vegetable as alternative source of soil nutrients for farm inputs.

Vermicompost is also considered as a better source of organic fertilizer and soil conditioner.

The training is among the variety of agricultural programs rolled out by the Provincial Government set under the countryside development and food security program of Governor Hilario P. Davide III.

Countryside progress and stable food supply are among the cornerstone of Davide’s Six Key Development Agenda.

“Farmers put food on our table. The Province will continue to support them, specifically in keeping up with the fast-paced technological improvements,” Davide said.

In general, organic standards are intended to allow the use of naturally occurring substances while strictly barring synthetic ingredients. However, the training exposed students on conventional farming that practically utilizes organic and inorganic inputs.

To ensure that participants will apply their skills, the Capitol provided the school a drip-irrigation system and farm inputs including seedlings, vermicompost mixture, probiotics and insect repellent.

Roberto Cutiller, CTU-Argao chairman of agriculture college, said it is essential to encourage the young to engage in sustainable farming practices.

Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph/

“While the lack of facilities remains one of the barriers why the young no longer wish to pursue farming, this training encourages the students to work on the field,” he said.

“We are very thankful to the Governor for his continued support and in boosting the interest of the young in Agriculture,” Cutiller added.

John Mark Amamangpang, 20, intends to echo his learning to farmers in far-flung areas.

“Soon when we become extension workers, I am willing to teach farmers in hard-to-reach areas,” he said.

Amamangpang was among the 100 participants of the training. He came from a family of farmers in Dalaguete town, southern Cebu, also known as the “Vegetable Basket of Cebu.”

The PAO recently conducted the same training for senior high school students in Tinabionan National High School in Catmon town, northern Cebu.

The next training is set for Tuburan town in the northwestern part of the province.

Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph/

www.cebu.gov.ph