The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños–National Crop Protection Center (UPLB-NCPC), is hosting a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited training workshop focused on advanced crop protection techniques.
The two-day training workshop being held on March 19-20, 2025 at the CBSUA Farmer’s Training Hall, titled “Technical Update in Crop Protection: Empowering Agriculturists with Nature-Based Solutions and the NCPC Pesticide Detection Tool,” aims to equip agricultural professionals with the latest knowledge and practical skills in sustainable crop protection.
Key topics include Introduction to Nature-based Solutions, Beneficial Virus for Pest Management, and Beneficial Nematodes for Pest Management presented by Dr. Barbara L. Caoili; Beneficial Fungi for Pest Management by Sci. Melissa P. Montecalvo; Earwigs: Beneficial predators for Insect Pest Management by Mr. Randolph N. Candano; Trichogramma: Beneficial egg parasitoid for insect pest management by Ms. Joedel dG. Padilla; Lecture on Pesticide Management and Food Safety by Mr. John Juilus P. Manuben; and a Lecture on the use of a Rapid Test Kit for pesticide residue analysis by Ms. Arra Gaylon.
Day two of the training provides an avenue for the participants to be involved in the demonstration activities on the foregoing topics. The hands-on training component allowed participants to apply their newly acquired knowledge through various practical exercises. These included the mass production of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes for biological pest control, the identification of male and female larvae of fall armyworm to improve pest monitoring, and the rearing of earwigs and mass production of Trichogramma egg parasitoids, which play a crucial role in natural pest control. Participants also gained firsthand experience in utilizing rapid test kits for pesticide residue analysis, reinforcing their ability to implement these techniques in real-world agricultural settings.
A post-test examination will be done to assess the knowledge, skills, and understanding that participants have gained after completing the training program. Participants who pass the exam, complete the training and fill out the evaluation will receive a certificate of completion and will earn 14 points of CPD Units.
This collaborative initiative underscores the commitment of CBSUA and UPLB-NCPC to advancing agricultural expertise and fostering sustainable farming practices in the region.
