By Kimberly S. Miguel, StratCom Correspondent

Promoting sustainable agriculture and creating livelihood, the Extension Directorate of the Mariano Marcos State University spearheaded a skills training on organic fertilizer production on April 25, 2023 at the NBERIC Conference Hall.

Forty-one (41) utility workers of MMSU, together with the Technology Livelihood Education (TLE) teachers of the Department of Education (DepEd) from the Schools Divisions of the City of Batac and Laoag City, and a participant from the local government unit of Adams, participated in the training. 

Dr. Floramante Pastor, in-charge of the university’s Organic Fertilizer Production project, served as speaker in yesterday’s training. A hands-on demonstration was conducted to provide the participants a first-hand experience on how to produce organic fertilizer.

“May this training encourage you to take leaps of action in promoting agriculture and agri-based enterprises in your schools and communities as we all support initiatives for climate action”, MMSU President Dr. Shirley Agrupis shared in her message.

She also emphasized the importance of the training in strengthening earth-friendly approaches that transform wastes into opportunities. With the knowledge and skills gained, utility workers and janitors in the different colleges and campuses of the university are expected to establish organic fertilizer production projects in their respective campuses as part of their waste management efforts.

Ms. Bella Gervacio, Extension Chief for Training and Continuing Education, shared that the university will assist the schools in the two DepEd in their organic crop production projects. For years now, the university has been assisting DepEd schools for agri-based projects such as the bio-intensive gardening (BIG) project and on oyster mushroom production. 

The training is a response to the request of DepEd to support its agri-based efforts in line with its offering of TVL-Agriculture. It also responds to the continual improvement of university personnel, with new knowledge and skills applicable in the workplace and as livelihood.

MMSU continues to promote organic fertilizer through trainings and capability-building activities including information materials to partners LGUs and interested individuals and organizations. (HLY/JVBT/SCO,StratCom)