LGU La Trinidad through the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist in partnership with BSU-Horticulture Research and Training Institute (HORTI) conducted a hydroponics training for mothers, solo parents, and senior citizens from the different barangays of the valley, titled “Gender Mainstreaming and Skills Training on Hydroponics Kitchen Garden” on April 8, 2025, at the Municipal Gym.

Personnel from BSU discussed the basic principles of hydroponics, insect pest management, and crop disease management were the topics discussed during the training.

Participants were able to experience a hands-on demonstration from Freddie M. Ayawan, a farmer at BSU-Agribased Technology Business Incubator (ATBI/IC), and were able to bring home the materials used like the liquid fertilizer, cocopeat, and seedlings.

Joana C. Rivera, a mother of 2 from the Wonderful Women of Poblacion Association shared the practicality of hydroponics, both in her backyard garden and in her hometown, Kapangan. She plans to utilize bamboo stalks instead of plastic bottles as they are more abundant in her area. She also hopes that more trainings on Bookkeeping, and Sewing will be implemented for further learning.

Director of the Horticulture Research and Training Institute, Dr. Jemma Rose M. Kilakil explained that there is an ongoing MOA between the LGU and BSU and a part of it involves the partnership on agricultural trainings. Moreover, this training was initially targeted to be part of the Strawberry Festival as strawberries can be grown using hydroponics. She is also looking forward to a farmer’s forum so that they, from the academe, may listen to our farmers and eventually partner to improve agricultural services.

Municipal Agriculturist, Nida Organo mentioned that the goals of the activity are to: 1) encourage F.A.I.T.H, Food Always Available In the Home, 2) practice recycling, and 3) promote safe and fresh vegetables for the family.

For more trainings on agriculture, follow the OMAG Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/omag.ltb.