The Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 1 (DA-ATI-RTC 1) concluded the PAlayTIMPALAK: The 3rd Year Search for Top Performing Rice-based Integrated Farms in Region 1 on November 10, 2023 through a Field Day, Awarding and Mass Graduation of 382 farmers from the 21 participating Farmers Cooperatives and Associations.
The three-in-one event was conducted at the Farm Site of Samahang Magsasaka ng Barangay Magsaysay Association Inc., Brgy. Agno, Pangasinan- the first placer under the non-irrigated category. It started through a farm walk, led by the association, to showcase their technologies, best practices, and innovative strategies that are worth sharing to the farmers and other stakeholders.
On the other hand, farmers group and the Timpuyog iti Zone 1 Irrigators Association Inc. in San Manuel, Pangasinan- the first placer under the irrigated category, shared their technologies and best practices inspiring the farmers through their testimonies about the social and economic benefits of RBIFS.
Present during the program who expressed their congratulatory messages and support were the officials of LGU-Agno, Pangasinan headed by Municipal Mayor Gualberto Sison and Vice Mayor Jonathan Doromal; Agno Municipal Councilors Hon. Richard Raquel, Hon. Lorna Nivera, Hon. Kristine Feble, and Hon. Edilberto Manalastas; and City and Municipal Agriculturists from various Local Government Units (LGUs).
Meanwhile, the Director of the Agricultural Training Institute, Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, delivered her words of appreciation and congratulations through a video-recorded message.
The following were announced as the winners under the Irrigated Area and Non-Irrigated Area Categories of the PAlayTIMPALAK competition:
Irrigated Area Category
First Placer - Timpuyog Iti Zone 1 Irrigators Association Inc., San Manuel, Pangasinan,
Second Placer - Riverside Irrigators Association, Umingan, Pangasinan
Third Placer - Bato Dam Batakil East Irrigators and Farmers Association Inc., Pozorrubio, Pangasinan,
Fourth Placer - Sanlobaraysan Irrigators Association Inc., Balungao, Pangasinan
Fifth Placer - San Juan Sta. Lucia Ilocos Sur Farmers Association Inc., Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur
Non-Irrigated Area Category
First Placer - Samanahang Magsasaka ng BarangayMagsaysay Association Inc., Agno, Pangasinan
Second Placer - Pangasinan Mountaineers Farmers Association, Mabini, Pangasinan
Third Placer - Bua Farmers, Fisherfolk and Livestock Association, Bani, Pangasinan
Fourth Placer - Caturay Sur Mangatarem Farmers Association Inc., Mangatarem, Pangasinan
Fifth Placer - Ballaigi Camandingan Proper Irrigators Association Inc., Batac City, Ilocos Norte
The farmers’ associations and cooperatives which also received consolation prizes and recognition are the following:
- Consolacion Farmers Association, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan
- Magbubukid ng Nancalobasaan Farmers Association Inc., Urdaneta City, Pangasinan
- Lateral B Farmers Irrigator's Association, Inc., Agoo, La Union
- Guiling Rosales Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and Farmers Association Inc., Rosales, Pangasinan
- Association of Farmers Irrigators in Bagbag Urayong Santiago Bauang La Union Inc., Bauang, La Union
- Arangin Farmers Association Inc., Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur
- LLP Farmers, Irrigators and Livestock Raisers Association, Inc., Lingayen, Pangasinan
- Pasileng Norte Binalonan Farmers Association, Inc., Binalonan, Pangasinan
- Cablong Farmers Association, Pozorrubio, Pangasinan
- Sobol Sioasio West Farmer Irrigators Association Inc., Sual, Pangasinan
- Rice-BIS Bayambang Agriculture Cooperative (RBAC), Bayambang, Pangasinan
This year’s culmination was attended by over 450 members and officers of different farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs), agricultural extension workers, leaders and officials of various government institutions.
The PAlayTIMPALAK program of the DA-ATI-RTC 1 is one of its sustained innovative strategies to respond to the low productivity of farming communities and to other gaps and challenges surfacing in the agricultural sector in the region.
