East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer > News > News & Events > EWS-KT Conducts Technical Field Days Across Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines

EWS-KT Conducts Technical Field Days Across Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines

Posted On: June 3, 2025
Technical Field Day attendees in Zamboanga Sibugay.
A Technical Field Day in Zamboanga Sibugay.

ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA, PHILIPPINES – The East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer (EWS-KT) team, in collaboration with local key farmers, successfully conducted a series of Technical Field Days across Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay in March and April 2025.

These community events were part of the Sustainable Intensification through Vegetables Intercropping in Perennial Crops Farming Systems in Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao Island, Philippines (ZamPen SIVI) project, which is co-funded by Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Republic of Korea (ROK) Cooperation Fund (BKCF), with grant administration by Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). 

The Technical Field Day activities served as dynamic platforms to demonstrate practical, science-based technologies for sustainable vegetable production, while also fostering community-based learning among farmers, youth, and agricultural stakeholders. A total of 508 participants from 18 neighboring barangays (communities) across the project areas took part in the events, reflecting strong community interest and engagement in advancing sustainable farming practices.

Key farmers played a central role—not only as hosts but also as lead trainers—facilitating technical discussions and showcasing farming innovations through hands-on demonstrations on their fields.  Their involvement reinforced the goal of encouraging fellow farmers to adopt improved, climate-resilient, and sustainable practices tailored to their local contexts.

Event Highlights

  • In Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) and low-cost irrigation systems were demonstrated in the municipality’s hilly areas. Meanwhile, the preparation of organic fertilizers and bokashi (fermented organic waste) was showcased in Pangalalan, a lowland area in the same municipality.

EWS-KT staff Arnee Abinguna explaining the principles of SALT next to a banner about the SALT method.
EWS-KT Team Lead Arnee Abinguna discussed the basic principles of SALT and briefly demonstrated how to measure contour lines—the first step in transforming sloping areas into productive agricultural land.

Large group of farmers who expressed interest in Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) after learning about it.
Local farmers from neighboring barangays expressed interest in SALT, citing similar terrain in their own farms.

Farmer Ranel Lipapa stands as he shares insights into the low-cost irrigation system he uses.
Key farmer Ranel Lipapa (second from right) shared insights into the low-cost irrigation system he uses.

Key farmers from SIVI-ZNAG Farm demonstrate the preparation of organic fertilizer and bokashi.
Key farmers from SIVI-ZNAG Farm in Pangalalan demonstrated how to prepare organic fertilizer and bokashi.

  • In Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur, technical sessions covered core practices such as seedling management, transplanting, and the 4Rs of fertilization (right source, right rate, right time, and right place).

Women key farmers lead a seedling production demonstration at the technical field day.
Women key farmers led a discussion and demonstration on seedling production and transplanting.

Farmers at a practical training on seedling transplanting.
Local farmers from neighboring barangays actively participated in the transplanting demonstration.

  • In Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, youth participation was a major focus, with hands-on learning sessions involving agriculture students and local farmers.

A young key farmer leads a discussion on seeds and seedling management.
A young key farmer (far right) led a discussion on seed-to-seedling management, demonstrating proper techniques to fellow farmers and students.

Farmer-Led Knowledge Sharing

The Field Days underscored the importance of farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange and highlighted the strength of collaboration between key farmers, local government units, and the private sector in promoting resilient vegetable production systems across the peninsula.

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