Training on “Boton Product Processing and Utilization” was conducted on October 1-2, 2020 at the Farmers’ Training Center (FTC) Dibet, Casiguran, Aurora. Participants were forty (40) members from the Pangkasama Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Casiguran.
The training consisted of the following flow: Opening Program with an Invocation led by Ms. Chenie Mae T. Bibon; National Anthem by Ms. Maribelle A. Soriano; Opening, Welcome Remarks and Overview of the Training, by Ma. Luz F. Cabatan, PhD, the Project Leader; and then Messages from Lordan B. Roxas, EdD, the General Manager of PANGKASAMA Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Hon. Ricardo A. Bitong, MD, the Chief Executive of LGU Casiguran; and Eutiquio L. Rotaquio, Jr., PhD, President of ASCOT. The second part on the program started with the Introduction of Boton (Barringtonia asiatica) as Molluscicide discussed by Jonah G. Zante, PhD; followed by Gender Sensitivity – An Integration by GAD Coordinator, Jomer B. Mangawang; and then lecture and discussions on Processing of Boton Powder by Ma. Luz F. Cabatan, PhD and Jomer B. Mangawang; and Boton Powder Utilization by Jonah G. Zante, PhD and Chenie Mae T. Bibon. The first day ended with an Open Forum moderated by Ms. Rica Nicole Y. Napoles.
The second day of the training was purely field demonstrations on collection, de-husking, drying, shredding, pulverizing, preparation of mixtures and field application of boton powder. The day successfully ended with impressions and commitments from the participants, assessment of the training, awarding of certificates, acknowledgment and closing remarks.
The previous boton project entitled, ”Production, Field Testing, and Commercialization of Boton (Barringtonia asiatica) as Biopesticide” was able to develop boton powder that is effective in controlling golden apple snails which are considered `pests’ in rice production. The proponents of the project are on the process of looking for prospective adopters of the technology, hence, training are conducted to develop awareness among rice farmers who are potential adopters. The rice farmers who are members of groups, associations or cooperatives were selected through proper coordination with the Local Government Units, particularly the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist from the three municipalities of the northern part of Aurora Province namely; Dilasag, Casiguran, and Dinalungan.
The objectives of the training were; to discuss the benefits that can be derived from the boton biopesticide; demonstrate the processing of boton into powder which is effective as molluscicide; perform actual use and application of the molluscicide; and encourage potential adopters of the technology from the participating groups.
The participants of the activity were trained on how to process the boton seeds into powder and the proper use of the powder as molluscicide in identified rice fields infested with golden apple snails. The effect of the molluscicide will be observed after its application. The said training served as venue in motivating rice farmers to adopt the boton technology with the hope that negotiation and arrangement with the groups as possible adopters be done, and in turn, transfer of the boton biopesticide technology will be achieved.