Two-Day FAO Training Workshop by Jamalee Jarvis

On 24th and 25th September, I got the opportunity to take part in the FAO training that was host by the Agricultural Extension Division. One of the main things I learned was that plants need nutrients to grow properly. We learned about different nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. I learned that plants need some nutrients more than others, but all of them are important.

Another highlight for me was the application of fertilizers. I learned that you cannot just put any amount of fertilizer on a plant. You have to use the right amount. Too much fertilizer can hurt the plant and the soil, while too little may not help the plant grow properly.

Additionally, I also learned how to tell when a plant is missing a nutrient. We looked at things like yellow leaves and plants that are not growing properly. This was interesting to me because now I know some of the signs to look for when a plant is not healthy.

We also learned about water and how it helps plants take in nutrients. We learned about drip irrigation and fertigation. Fertigation is when fertilizer is mixed with water and given to the plants. I thought this was really interesting because it can help farmers give plants the water and nutrients they need all at the same time.

During the training, we also got to see and use some tools that can help farmers. We learned about soil scanners and how they can help us learn more about the soil. This can assist farmers know what their soil needs before adding fertilizer.

What I liked most about the training was that we did not just sit down and listen all day. We got to do field visit, look at plants, use some of the tools, ask questions, and talk with other people who are interested in farming. This made the training more fun for me.

The training also made me realize that what I learned can help my alma mater other farmers too. Some farmers were not able to come to the training, so I can share what I learned with them. I can tell them about nutrients, fertilizer, water, and ways they can take better care of their crops. I really enjoyed the training because I learned a lot of new things about farming, plants, water, fertilizer, and how to help crops grow better.