THE BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY – CROP PEST MANAGEMENT DIVISION (BPI_CPMD) ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED AND SERVED AS A RESOURCE SPEAKER DURING THE TRAINING SEMINAR TITLED ” SEMINAR ON GOOD AGRICULTURE PRACTICE AND PROPER USE OF CHEMICALS ON FRESH OKRA FOR THE EXPORT MARKET” HELD LAST JUNE 26 – 28, 2024 AT DA CLIARC PARAISO, TARLAC CITY.
This event was organized by the Philippine Okra Producers and Exporters Association (POPEA) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies.
The objective of this three-day training was to emphasize the significance of adherence to the revised protocol for the export of fresh okra. It aimed to ensure the adaptation of good agricultural practices, including strict compliance with policies and procedures for the proper and effective use of agricultural chemicals and pesticides management. It also aimed to instill and reiterate to the farmers and growers the correct discipline in conducting their business in compliance with the guidelines of the existing protocol enforced by the Accreditation and Screening Committee.
During the seminar, Mr. Arnil Alleluya of BPI CPMD discussed the importance of Integrated Management (IPM) for controlling okra pests and diseases. IPM is a strategy focusing on long-term prevention through techniques, such as biological control, habitat manipulation, cultural practices, and the use of resistant varieties. Furthermore, it underscored the significance of employing diverse control options to manage pests and reduce the continuous application synthetic pesticides, aligning with Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for pesticides as prescribed by exporting countries.
Moreover, the presentation provides an overview of biological control agents, their target hosts, characteristics, and availability for field application. It emphasized the importance of regular monitoring, proper pest identification, understanding the life cycle of the pests, behavior, and the damage and¬ symptoms. These are the key information necessary for designing a successful control strategy.
