In June 2025, five (5) active Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs) from Camarines Sur and Sorsogon took part in a focused training on Nursery Management, spearheaded by the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) Program Bicol. This initiative was designed to build the capacity of IPOs in sustainable seed production and conservation—key components in ensuring year-round food security and agricultural resilience in indigenous communities.
The five participating IPOs include:
- Vegetable Growers Association of Tinawagan – Libod ARBs, Tigaon, Camarines Sur
- Minadonjol Katutubong Agta Farmers Association, Sagñay, Camarines Sur
- Tadyong Tribal Farmers Association Inc., Iriga City, Camarines Sur
- Guiron Indigenous Peoples Farmers Association, Pilar, Sorsogon
- Mabini Indigenous Peoples Farmers Association, Donsol, Sorsogon
By equipping these IPOs with practical nursery management skills, the 4K Program envisions them becoming reliable community seed reserve hubs, capable of supporting not only their own members but also neighboring indigenous and farming communities. This effort is a vital step toward fostering agricultural independence, enhancing local food systems, and empowering indigenous peoples to be stewards of sustainable farming practices in the Bicol Region.