THE Department of Agriculture, through its High-Value Commercial Development Program (HVCDP), conducted the first of its series of Package of Technology Training (POT) in Zamboanga City.

Albert Cuadra, Regional HVCDP report officer, said the training was conducted for two days from September 9 to 10 at the Marcian Business Hotel and was attended by 30 Mango growers, including technicians from the six districts of the Office of the City Agriculturist.

Cuadra said the training aims at capacitating the participants with appropriate knowledge on the importance of proper farm management that will ensure high production yield of their products.

He said the participants learned about crop phenology, good agricultural practices, pest and diseases on mango, and health and safety.

Cuadra said they encouraged the participants to engage in organic farming and lessen their use of chemical pesticides that are harmful to health and the environment.

He added that they were also encouraged to re-echo to their fellow farmers in their respective areas what they have learned from the two-day POT training on mango production. (SunStar Zamboanga)