To promote sustainable rice farming and enhance the capabilities of farmers, the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (DA-ATI-RTC 1), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur, conducted a Training on Integrated Pest and Nutrient Management in Rice from June 18-20, 2025, at the Municipal Hall of Sigay, Ilocos Sur
The three-day training aimed to strengthen the farmers’ technical knowledge and practical skills in managing pests and optimizing soil nutrients, ultimately leading to sustainable and higher rice yields. A total of 26 farmers from the said municipality participated in this activity.
Through lectures, demonstrations, and group discussions, farmers learned how to identify pests and adopt natural and safe pest control strategies. They also gained knowledge on proper nutrient management to maintain crop productivity.
One of the highlights of the training was a demonstration of the Minus One Element Technique (MOET)-a tool that helps farmers assess soil nutrient levels and detect potential health issues, enabling them to make informed decisions to improve crop productivity.
The training sessions were led by resource persons from Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), including Dr. Analyn Abella and Mr. Perfecto Ramos, Jr., along with Mr. Joseph Tadeo, Mr. Sadiri Ramos, and Mr. Rowel Banagan from the Provincial Agriculture Office.
At the end of the training, expressed their satisfaction, highlighting the new techniques they learned and the opportunity to engage directly with experts and fellow farmers.
Indeed, ATI-RTC 1 remains committed in empowering local farmers by equipping them with practical knowledge and science-based farming approaches. This training is expected to help farmers in growing healthier crops, and supporting their communities, as a whole.
