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CAGAYAN | May 12, 2022 – The FPA Cagayan Valley discussed the Responsible Use of Agricultural Pesticides (RUAP) and Pesticides Resistance Management (PRM) to more than 100 agriculture students at Cagayan State University (CSU) Lallo Campus, Sta. Maria, Lallo, Cagayan, with the faculty and staff of the College of Agriculture on May 11, 2022.

The seminar was to emphasize the significance of the safe and judicious use of pesticides, interpret pesticide labels, identify signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning, and develop a pesticide resistance management strategy. Balance Fertilization Strategy (BFS) was another topic of discussion.

“Pesticides are toxic, hazardous, and poisonous. It is harmful if it is misused and mishandled. But when used properly, it will give you a good outcome and high income”, Provincial Officer (PO) Henry Cayaban, Jr. said during his lecture on Safe Handling of Pesticides.

PO Cayaban, Jr. also discussed the causes of the national fertilizer price increase. He listed the reasons, including the COVID – 19 pandemic, the war between Ukraine and Russia, the rise in fuel prices, and the increase in transportation and logistics costs.

Meanwhile, PO Arwin Cardenas discussed the importance of determining pesticide poisoning and pesticide resistance management signs and symptoms. He elaborated on knowing the symptoms and the first aid to apply when a poisoning case occurs in the field.

During the discussion of pesticide resistance development, PO Cardenas emphasized the reasons for developing pesticide resistance, including failure to comply with the label, failure to incorporate IPM in farming, and repeatedly using single-use pesticides.

Dr. Florante Victor Balatico, CEO CSU Lallo Campus, and Dr. Maribel Fernandez, Dean College of Agriculture, thanked FPA for accommodating and sharing lessons with the agricultural students. The university hopes that the students will apply the learnings someday. ###

BENGUET | May 11, 2022 – FPA-CAR Regional Officer Rogelio B. Tanguid and Benguet Officer Rowena F. Billig discussed the safe and effective use of fertilizer and pesticide products during the seminar on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) held on April 28 and May 10 in Camp 3, Tuba, Benguet.

Other invited speakers for the two-day activity are the Benguet Provincial GAP focal person Inocencio Bernard, who discussed to the requirements and farm lay out on GAP; and personnel from Tuba Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Office who discussed general first aid management including pesticide poisoning management.

The training aimed to educate farmers on ways to reduce contamination of their produce. The GAP training helped in improving sanitary conditions and minimizing spoilage or transport damage. Participants also learned proper responses to prevent accidents, illness and maintain proper hygiene.

The activity was co-organized by the MLGU of Tuba through its Municipal Agriculture Office and BLGU of Camp 3, Tuba, Benguet. In addition, Philex Mining Corporation’s Sustainable Development Management Project sponsored the GAP seminar (SDMP) sessions. The activity was beneficial to a total of forty-one (41) farmers.

The participants are expected to submit their application for GAP certification at the OMAg Tuba for pre-assessment, provision of administrative assistance, and inspection of farms. If the farmers would attain 85% compliance, OMAg will endorse them to OPAg for further assessment. Farmers who achieve 95% compliance in OPAg assessment shall be forwarded to the National GAP team headed by BPI for final inspection.

DAVAO DEL NORTE | MAY 10, 2022 – Forty-one (41) mango contractors and growers from Samal City and other nearby provinces attended the first wave of FPA Davao Region’s (RFU 11) Mango Contractors Training held at Camp Holiday Resort, Island Garden City of Samal.

The training is designed to lecture handlers on the correct use of potassium nitrate as mango flower inducer and develop the awareness of the safe and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides (Fertilizer Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines, p. 72). 

FPA’s Deputy Director for Pesticide Eric Divinagracia and Regional Officer Marrisa Napalit, along with the City Agriculture’s Office representative Jimuel Rebigan, welcomed the participants and gave them an overview of the training.

Provincial Officers Cheery Agrade and Rustom Gain Tanduyan discussed PD 1144, including the creation, duties, and responsibilities of FPA. They also tackled EO 522 covering the FPA rules and regulations governing the mango industry, acquisition of use of nitrates, and recognition & first aid management on pesticide poisoning cases.

International Veterinary and Agrochemicals Inc (IVA) discussed the remaining technical topics, including plant nutrition, the correct use of mango flower inducer, cultural practices, insect pests, disease management, pesticide information, classification, and safe use in mango production.

FPA collaborated with IVA and the Island Garden City of Samal – City Agriculture Office to conduct the activity. The newly trained participants will be eligible to apply for a License to Operate (LTO). ###