Nutrition coordinators learn natural farming system
VICTORIAS CITY, Negros Occ.-- Assistant Secretary Maria-Bernardita Torres led Regional Nutrition Program Coordinators and National Nutrition Council (NNC) Central Office staff in a tour of a booming micro-model farm in this sugar capital of the province over the weekend to learn integrated natural farming systems that are environment-friendly, zero-waste, organic and market-driven.
The group, among them first-timers in the province, chose Bacolod City and Negros Occidental as the venue of their First Management Conference this year.
“We wanted to see nutrition-related projects that contribute to food security and must-see spots as well as experience Negrense culture,” Torres said.
Ramon Peñalosa, owner-entrepreneur of the 3,000 square-meter farm, shared to the group technologies like urban and container gardening he called “Plant-Water-Harvest” and his own brand of hog-raising dubbed “Probiotic Swine”, the latter of which is the main feature of the farm situated in a machine shop compound at the heart of the city.
Peñalosa, is the Magsasaka-Siyentista of the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, and a much sought-after speaker and advocate of organic farming and the use of probiotics.
The group paid a courtesy call on Gov. Isidro Zayco, and Talisay City Mayor Eric Saratan who hosted a dinner for them.
Talisay City has been a consistent regional outstanding winner in nutrition and is now vying for the Nutrition Hall of Fame Award.
The group also visited Mambukal Resort in Murcia, Pana-ad Park and Stadium and Organik Na Negros Market at the back of the Provincial Capitol Building in Bacolod City, Victorias Milling Company and Saint Joseph the Worker Parish Church in Victorias City, Balay Negrense in Silay City and “The Ruins” in Talisay City.
In the group were Carolina Bautista-Batallones, NNC Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Finance, and Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Nona Tad-y of Western Visayas. Provincial Nutrition Program Coordinator Ma. Teena Pineda facilitated the five-day NNC Management Conference and tour.
CAPTION
Assistant Secretary Maria-Bernardita Torres (center, in red blouse) leads Regional Nutrition Program Coordinators and National Nutrition Council Central Office staff in a tour of Peñalosa Farms in Victorias City, one of the seven agri-tourism destinations in the province.