At least 75 farmers from the towns of Sison and Tagana-an in Surigao del Norte and Remedios T. Romualdez in Agusan del Norte have completed a six-day capacity training on Banana Production Good Agricultural Practices that concluded Wednesday.

In a statement Thursday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) 13 (Caraga) said the farmers were the recipients of this year’s second phase of the banana production project implementation under the agency’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program.

Each of the farmers’ groups from the three towns will soon receive a PHP1.4 million project package from the SAAD program for a total of PHP4.2 million.

The project will involve the release of banana planting materials, fertilizers, and other farm inputs to each of the organizations.

“The farmers learned the practices in establishing banana plantations by determining the suitability of the sire through soil analysis, clearing, and land preparations,” the DA-13 said.

The beneficiaries were also trained on selecting good planting materials, planting methods, the application of fertilizers, and pest control.

“Managing and maintaining the plantation was also discussed, which includes weeding, replanting, watering, especially during the dry season, and pruning,” the DA-13 said.

After their training, the beneficiaries are expected to prepare the areas in their respective barangays where the project will be implemented.

The preparation process is among the requisites for the release of the other components of the project this year. (PNA)