As a part of their two-year partnership, Central Philippines State University (CPSU) and Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE) conducted an Agro-Ecology training to empower the youth in making the country more food secure and to propagate sustainable farming for the generations of youth to come.
Twenty-one youth partners from different organizations from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao attended the โAgroecology for Sustainable Food Systems: Basic Training on Agro-Ecology for Youth Partners of SEARICEโ last June 8 to 10.
Held at Central Philippines State University (CPSU) Main Campusโ RDEC Conference Hall, the training was organized by CPSU and the Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowermentโs (SEARICE) to increase awareness among the youth about the significance of Agro-Ecology and to empower them by equipping them with the basic skills necessary for its adaptation.
The training included lectures about the โBasic Principles and Importance for sustainability of Agri-Food Systemsโ, โDiverse and Integrated Farming Systemsโ, and โManaging Soil Health and Nutritionโ, and a Hands-on Learning and Lab Tour for the first day of the activity.
On the second day, resource persons delivered a series of informative lectures such as, Pest and Disease Managementโ, โSeed Conservation and Managementโ, โDiscussion and Demonstration on Oriental Herbal Nutrientโ, โCrop Improvement through Breedingโ, and โLivestock Production and Managementโ.
Action Planning, discussion on the Magna Carta for Youth Farmers, and Synthesis ensued on the same date.
The training ended with an educational tour at PeacePond, located in the Municipality of Binalbagan, whose best practices include the recycling of plastic waste into new products like wallets, pouches, bowls etc., and at Sagup Negros: Food Waste Mitigation Initiative in the City of Bacolod whose best practices include the mitigation of food waste generation from local markets.
In her message, CPSU Production and Enterprise Development Office Director and College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) faculty Dr. Maryvic P. Pedrosa welcomed the young participating farmersโreiterating the importance of Agro-Ecology to sustainability and food security, as well as the significance of the young farmersโ presence in the training as part of the long-term intervention to the adversities that the nation faces.
Dr. Pedrosa, SEARICEโs Executive Director Normita G. Ignacio, Visayas Program Officer Olive H. Seruelo, Program Officer Guiller Domingo, and Policy Officer Caryl Pilora, Community Leader Mr. Arnel T. Calago, and CAF Faculty Mr. Jundel F. Gonzaga demonstrated their respective expertise in the lectures conducted throughout the training.
Participants include delegates from Luzonโs Birhen dela Medalia Milagrosa Parish Youth Ministry, Teatrong Linog sa Kabataang Infantahin (TIKIn), Pinag-isang Lakas ng mga Samahan ng Casiguran, Aurora (PIGLASCA), and Children and Youth Action for Sustainable Future (CYASF); from Visayasโ Aklan Young Farmers Association, 4h Club Aklan, 4H Club Kabankalan, Mater Dei College, Catholic Mingyuan College, and Pamantan-on nga Mangunguma sang Negros Alliance (PAMANA); and from Mindanaoโs UCCP Youth Organization, 4H Group, Panaghiusa Alang Sa Kaugalingnan Ug Kalingkawasan, Inc. - Pasakk Inc, and SEARICE.
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