In response to the overwhelming demands of viewers for the Aggie Ps Talk webinar series brought by the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) comes its 4^th season – Aggie Ps Talk 4.0 Urban Gardening: Pinakbet Series.

Formally opening the webinar was CAFS Dean Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr. who articulated that the webinar is very timely as we can grow our own vegetables especially now that the world is facing a challenge wherein food security has become an issue. Dean Agbisit also expressed his gratitude to the viewers who have been patronizing the CAFS webinar series to show their interest in agriculture.

Citing the old quote, “Agriculture feeds the world,” Dean Agbisit said that as long as agriculture is around and as long as people know how to venture in agriculture, they will never get hungry.

The first episode of the Aggie Ps Talk 4.0 features “Seed Saving” with Ms. Jennelyn C. Bengoa, university researcher of the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), CAFS, UPLB as resource person. In her presentation, she discussed the significance of seed saving as means to save money, for seed security, for keeping the preferred variety, and to protect biodiversity.

Ms. Bengoa also shared the different types of seed as this is an important consideration in vegetable growing. Moreover, she discussed two seed classifications based on storage properties. Completing her presentation was the step-by-step process of saving seeds such as harvesting (for consumption and seed production), seed extraction (which is done manually and mechanized), seed drying (using a combination of air and sun drying, spin drying and slow drying), seed treatment which focused on the use of botanicals, and storage (using cool dry place, ambient temperature, and cold storage). Furthermore, a do-it-yourself video on seed extraction of open-pollinated seeds was presented.

Closing the webinar was Dr. Rodel G. Maghirang, IPB director. He emphasized the importance of seed selection to produce good quality vegetables. As a startup, he enjoined the viewers to use the IPB seeds in vegetable growing.

The Aggie Ps Talk is available through CAFS’ social media platforms including Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube. (IMGesmundo)