Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU orients Batac farmers on microgreens production project

By Ian Paul Villanueva

The MMSU College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) and Extension Directorate, in partnership with the City Government of Batac, conducted a community orientation on microgreens production at Barangay Quiling Norte on September 22.

Bringing together 30 participants from various local barangays, the orientation was led by Dr. Raymund Julius Rosales, who discussed microgreen species, proper growing containers, suitable substrates, and value-added products. Also present were Mr. Ricardo Sibucao from the City Agriculture Office and Batac City Councilor Rizalino Castillo, who reaffirmed the local government's support for the project.

The activity was conducted as part of the three-year urban agriculture project titled “Urban Farming of Microgreens Production for Sustainable Food Supply Through Skills Development,” which commenced in January this year.

In February 2026, Dr. Rosales, together with project team members Prof. Jovy Anne Pedro and Engr. Aira Lilac Pungtilan, Mr. John Marlo Bangayan, and Dr. Glisten Faith Pascual, met with the MMSU Extension Directorate to align project operations with university standards. This coming October, the university will formalize its partnership with the City of Batac for a fuller implementation of the microgreens project.

By November 2026, the team plans to conduct more training workshops and establish three communal microgreen production setups across select Batac City barangays. (𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘑𝘰𝘺 𝘈𝘤𝘥𝘢𝘯)