A local rice farmer who has completed a Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Specialist Training Course (RCEF RSTC) in 2021 is championing safer and more sustainable ways to manage pests in Butuan City.
From being a former farm school trainer, Harbielo C. Geray has become an advocate of eco-friendly pest control practices and now runs his own Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA), where he teaches fellow farmers how to manage rice pests and diseases without harming the environment.
“Since graduating from RSTC, promoting modern, eco-friendly pest control has been one of my advocacies. I learned in the training that appropriate pest management plays a crucial role in increasing yields, and that means using pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides only when necessary,” Geray shared.
He warns that indiscriminate use of pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides not only drives up farmers’ production costs but also damages soil health, water sources, and beneficial organisms. These effects, he added, run counter to RCEF’s goals of reducing farming costs while improving productivity.
“In today’s digital age, farmers are exposed to all kinds of information online. Sadly, not all of it is safe or science-based. Some suggestions worsen the problem. That’s why I established my LSA—to offer better, research-backed options,” he shared. At his learning site, he promotes integrated pest management strategies, including the use of natural enemies like parasitoids and entomopathogens. These biological agents help control pest populations without leaving harmful residues on crops or in the environment.
Geray is currently working toward securing accreditation as a full-fledged farm school. Once accredited, he hopes to expand his services to include free consultations for farmers and more structured training on sustainable farming practices.
