The Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) in partnership with the Baluzo Integrated Farm Institute, Inc. brought the Japanese technology Mokusako to this town through a seminar which was held at the Baluzo farm on January 9, 2025.

The Mokusaku also known as wood vinegar is a Japanese technology with various uses such as fertigation, foliar spray, as insect repellant, odor removal and in enriching the soil, that is best used for organic farming.

Wilfredo De Chavez, Mokusako expert and Chief Technical Guidance Staff of JAEC lectured on the principles, benefits and procedure of preparing Mokusako. The JAEC also constructed a P115,000 -worth Mokusako facility inside the Baluzo farm.

Kristine Mae Baluzo, the farm manager of the Baluzo Integrated Farm Institute said that one of the future plans of the farm – being a TESDA accredited school offering courses in Organic Agriculture Production NC II – is to be able to offer Mokusako production course for its students.

The participants of the seminar on Mokusako technology who received certificates of participation from JAEC were organic agriculture practitioners, TESDA scholars, 4Hers, Barangay Agricultural Extension Workers, owners of PhilGAP certified farms and Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSA) from Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

The seminar was graced by Camarines Norte Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Almirante Abad; Daet Municipal Agriculturist Dr. Reuben P. Naperi; and ATI RTC 5 Assistant Center Director Dr. Emman Orogo.

In the message of RED Rodel P. Tornilla which was read by Lovella P. Guarin, RAFIS Chief, he thanked the Baluzo family for their efforts in promoting agriculture particularly to the youth, the farm being a TESDA school for young organic agriculture enthusiasts.

Since 2009, the Baluzo farm, which is a family-managed enterprise, has consistently evolved to be one of the prominent farms and agri-tourism sites in Camarines Norte. The diversified farm also proved its resiliency with its year-round production of agricultural products which are being sold in Sunday Market at SM Daet. (Lovella P. Guarin)

(Photo credit: Eduardo Collantes, Jr. and Hermito Antonio Privaldos – RAFIS 5)