DAF-ARMM train teachers on vegetable program

COTABATO CITY, July 4 (PNA) - The Department of Agriculture & Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao DAF-ARMM has trained teachers from the 14 public elementary schools in Maguindanao in an effort to push the "Programang Gulayan ng Masa Program" (PGMA).

PGMA Focal Person Albaya Sagad said that the training was held at Pendililang Elementary School, in Barangay Salbu, Datu Saudi Ampatuan town with 70 elementary school teachers from 14 public schools who will in turn teach the students on vegetable backyard gardening.

Nanding Sayutin, Datu Saudi municipal agricultural officer (MAO) said that teachers were given technology-guides on vegetables, calendars and assorted vegetable seeds that they can use in their respective schools, homes and the community.

Regional Secretary Keise Usman of DAF-ARMM said the department is strengthening its advocacy to fight rural hunger and malnutrition through this program as initiated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.

Secretary Usman was optimistic that the teachers will impart the learning/technologies from this activity to other teachers to increase the number of vegetable garden advocates.

After the Saudi Ampatuan training, DAF-ARMM vegetable experts held similar training for teachers in the towns of Matanog and Guindulungan.

Usman said the students in Datu Saudi Ampatuan were among the displaced persons in the province due to on going military operations against rogue Moro rebels.

"The training will greatly help the children IDPs to be productive and eat nutritious vegetables," Usman said.