07/08/2026
๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐
๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐
Recognizing that healthy crops are essential to food security and farmers' livelihoods, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) through its Research and Development Division, in collaboration with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Madrid, successfully conducted a three-day Bantay Peste Volunteer Brigade Training on August 4โ6, 2026, at KimZimar Farm, Panayogon, Madrid, Surigao del Sur.
The training brought together 14 Barangay Agricultural Workers (BAWs), 10 local farmers, and 7 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Madrid. United by a common goal, the participants enhanced their knowledge and skills in protecting crops from destructive pests and diseases before these become major threats to agricultural production.
Throughout the training, participants gained practical knowledge on pest surveillance, identification, monitoring, reporting, and integrated pest management (IPM). They also participated in Agro-Ecological System Analysis (AESA) activities which enabled them to apply the concepts discussed and strengthen their confidence in responding to pest infestations within their respective communities.
More than just a technical training, the activity highlighted the important role of every farmer, agricultural worker, and extension personnel as the first line of defense against emerging pest threats. Through the Bantay Peste Volunteer Brigade, participants are expected to become advocates of early pest detection, proper reporting, and timely intervention, helping fellow farmers minimize crop losses and improve farm productivity.
This collaborative initiative reflects the continuing commitment to strengthen community-based agricultural services and build resilient farming communities. By equipping local agricultural frontliners with the necessary knowledge and skills, the program contributes to protecting farmers' livelihoods, sustaining food production, and ensuring a more productive agricultural sector for the people of Surigao del Sur.
