Problem
Problems: The Covid 19 pandemic changed how educational institutions functioned with online learning. With the easing of restrictions this year, students could once again do hands on learning. The College of College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Negros Oriental State University- Guihulngan Campus (NORSU-Guihulngan City) sought the partnership with Potato Systems Research and Training Center (PSRTC) for their Senior Agriculture students to have an On-the-Job Training (OJT).
Outcomes
A Memorandum of Agreement was signed with NORSU-Guihulngan Campus. PSRTC and CP&F farm served as laboratory for the 37 OJTs from May 16 to June 13,2023. Students were divided into 4 groups and assigned different daily tasks. Lectures and hands on activities were done to provide essential technical knowledge and skills on tissue culture culture, vegetable seedling production, operation of farm machineries and tools (tractor, rice floater, grass cutter, corn mill, corn sheller), field planting, biological control of sweet potato weevil, and processing of sweet potato. A demonstration on drip irrigation was also conducted. Students were given a chance to be Officers of the Day to give them a chance to learn office management and facilitate workshops.
They also participated in the Business Planning Workshop for the Utilization of PHilmech-KAMICO Designed Corn Mill for Village Level Application conducted by the Philippines Center for Postharvest Development and Utilization (PHilmech) and Business Planning Workshop for Sweet Potato Flour by Technological University of the Philippines-Visayas (TUP-V.
The experiences in the farm were unforgettable learning experiences for students. According to Group 1, “The finest teacher is experience”. In one of their tasks, which is production of vegetable seedlings, they collected and prepared Carbonized Rice Hull (CRH). It is a is partially burnt rice hull that can serve as fertilizer and soil conditioner. According to them, making CRH is time-consuming and exhausting, but it is also packed with knowledge and lessons that local farmers and agriculture students can use.
Another group, wrote that learning how to drive and operate a tractor is fairly difficult especially for first timer. Presence of mind is important to properly operate the equipment. It gave them new skills and unforgettable lifetime experiences.
One group discovered that biological control of sweet potato weevil using pheromones was effective for the control of weevil population in the field. As a farmer’s son, this technology is very valuable because the weevil causes so much damage to sweet potato crops.
The other group considers corn milling into flour exciting. The Philmech-Kameco Corn Mill, using the village type corn mill facility, was a nice unforgettable experience because it is their first time to do such activity. For them, the corn mill gives the farmers the benefits of milling their own corn as it is accessible and within the farming community.
As we look forward, to new group of students, PSRTC will continue to provide quality practical learning experiences. This aspect of EDUCATION is one of the most important tools for Community Empowerment.