Enterprise Proponent Groups (PGs) implemented under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) were trained on potato tuber management from July 8-9 in Baguio City.

The trainees were representatives from the following PGs with completed and operational enterprise subprojects on the production of potato tubers: SRT La Trinidad Cooperative of Benguet and Sadsadan Vegetable Producers, Inc. Some members of the Bosigan Multipurpose Cooperative and Man-akbong Farmers Association in Mankayan, Benguet also participated in the training.

Resource Speakers from the Benguet State University – Northern Philippine Root Crops Research and Training Center (NPRCRTC) led by Director Cynthia Kiswa focused their discussions on understanding the importance of potato crop and cycle; pest and disease management; soil, crop, and water management; good postharvest practices; tuber production methods; and quality control and records keeping. 

As part of the training, they visited the greenhouse facilities at NPRCRTC in La Trinidad, Benguet wherein brief lectures and demonstrations were also conducted. 

The trainees visited the following facilities: potato nursery greenhouse, potato drip irrigation, aeroponic greenhouse, and ube drip and aeroponic greenhouse.

Liby Ngaseo of Bosigan MPC said that the training was very interesting and informative.

“Ad ado pay kuma nga farmers ti ma-inform ta haan nga sayang ti kinabaknang ti daga ti Cordillera. Naadal ko nga importante ti panag condisyon ken panag mentenar iti kinabaknang ti daga. Maaywanan kuma nga usto gapu iti agsubsubra nga panag usar ti chemicals, fertilizers nga haan kasapulan jay daga,” said Ngaseo.

(More farmers should be informed [on the topics discussed] to be able to preserve the richness of our soil here in the Cordillera. I learned [through this training] the importance of managing and maintaining the richness of soil. Our soil also requires proper care and maintenance because we use plenty of chemicals and fertilizers that is not needed by the soil.)

Elmer Akelpas from Man-akbong FA also said that the visit at the NPRCRTC made the training more interesting because they were able to observe and learn more about several root crops production technologies and practices.

As part of DA-PRDP interventions, technology and skills trainings along with monitoring activities and enterprise assessments are being conducted to further support the PGs in operating and sustaining their enterprises. ### (Elvy t. Estacio, RPCO-CAR InfoACE)