Seeking to improve the current condition of poor tree plantations which stems from insufficient knowledge among farmers, community workers and LGUs on science-based information on tree farming, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) spearheads the first training workshop on S&T based falcata farming from advanced tree seed technology to nursery and plantation establishment and management.
Led by DOST-PCAARRD's Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD), the training is facilitated by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau - Forest and Wetland Research, Development and Extension Center (ERDB-FWRDEC), with support from the Institution Development Division (IDD) of DOST-PCAARRD. It is held from November 27 to December 1, 2023 in the ERDB-FWRDEC Conference Room, Maharlika, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
The training workshop will demonstrate and impart the basic concepts and methods in producing high quality planting materials from genetically superior plus trees and implementing effective silvicultural practices for plantation management.
During the opening program, ERDB-FWRDEC OIC-Center Head Joan S. Gilbero welcomed the participants from different agencies. She mentioned that the advanced technologies to be shared in the training are products of years of research, most of which are funded by DOST-PCAARRD. FERD Director Nimfa K. Torreta also shared her message of support to the training and thanked ERDB-FWRDEC for facilitating the activity. She also mentioned that DOST-PCAARRD will continue its partnership with ERDB-FWRDEC in the future to train more practitioners and expand it to other major wood production areas in Mindanao.
Part of the program activities include lectures, hands-on activities, and field demonstrations of advanced technologies and practices in nursery and plantation establishment and pest and disease identification and management. To ensure sustainability and application of learnings, an action planning workshop is slated for each participant at the last day of the training workshop.
The 25 participants in the training hail from local government units (LGUs), Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Community Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO), People’s Organization (PO), the academe, and private sector. All are based in the CARAGA region in Mindanao, one of the primary suppliers of the country’s log requirements.
A stable supply of quality planting materials and dissemination of information and technologies on science-based tree farming will ensure a productive and profitable tree plantations in the country. DENR's Mindanao Tree Seed Center (MTSC), which was established with funding support from DOST-PCAARRD, is continuously providing a reliable seed system to tree farmers. Meanwhile, ERDB-FWRDEC’s training hub, which is also being supported by DOST-PCAARRD, is set to be inaugurated by early 2024 to provide information and technology services to relevant stakeholders.