MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL (PIA)-- A total of six farmers’ associations (FAs) in Misamis Occidental recently underwent concoction-making training supported by the Department of Agriculture-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD)-10.

The program's Bio-Intensive Agricultural Production Training includes this capacity building as part of its preparation for the full-swing implementation of their agri-livelihood production projects in 2024.

Twenty-five members of the six FAs attended the concoction-making training to upgrade their farming knowledge and skills, particularly in making alternative fertilizers and pesticides to replace chemicals.

The participating FAs are the Punta Sulong SAAD Phase 2 Farmers Association (Baliangao), Maligubaan Farmers’ Association (Concepcion), Gandawan Strawberry Growers' Association (Don Victoriano), San Roque SAAD Swine Growers Association (Panaon), Salimpuno SAAD sa Mag-uuma Association (Sapang Dalaga), and San Isidro Bajo SAAD Beneficiaries Association (Sinacaban).

Each FA was trained in producing fermented fruit juice, fermented plant juice, and fish amino acids, which will be used as foliar fertilizers and vitamins for animals; calcium phosphate, or CaPhos, for poultry and foliar fertilizer for crops; lactic acid for good animal digestion; and oriental herb nutrients as an organic pesticide, antibiotic, and dewormer.

The DA-SAAD phase 2 is being implemented in 5th and 6th-class towns in Misamis Occidental for a period of six years from 2023 to 2028, providing agri-livelihood interventions to identify the poorest of the poor farmers in the province. (DA-10)