IPB organizes a series of trainings on “Organic Vegetable Breeding and Seed Production”

The Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) provided a series of trainings on “Organic Vegetable Breeding and Seed Production” across various regions as part of the project, “Organikong Lahi, Binhi, at Ani: A Leap Towards Formal and Informal Organic Seed System”.

Funded by the LifeBank Foundation, Inc., the project is implemented by the UPLB Foundation, Inc. under the leadership of Ms. Maria Cielo Paola B. Rodriguez, a university researcher from the Vegetable and Legume Crops Section of IPB.

The first training took place in the Municipality of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, from July 10 to 11, 2024, with 29 participants. This was followed by a training session on July 18 at the Department of Agriculture Quezon Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (DA-QARES) in Laglag, Tiaong, CALABARZON Region, which also had 29 participants. Moreover, the third training was held at the Department of Agriculture Cagayan Valley Research Center (DA-CVRC), Region 2, from July 24 to 25, with 34 participants.

The vegetable experts, Dr. Rodel G. Maghirang, Mr. Villamor A. Ladia Jr., Ms. Maria Cielo Paola B. Rodriguez, Mr. Anthony P. Vicencio and Mr. Crislan C. Aglibot, discussed organic vegetable breeding, seed production, seed processing, and seed saving. In addition to lectures, the training sessions included field visits, experimental field trials, demonstrations, and hands-on activities.

The trainings, which were attended by farmers and technical staff, were held in partnership with the following offices: Municipality of Kauswagan-Municipal Agriculture Office; Department of Agriculture-CALABARZON; DA QARES; Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Isabela; DA-CVRC; and the DA CVRC Organic Agriculture Program. (Lorna G. Matanguihan)