The ATI-RTC I implemented four (4) batches of "Capability Building on Rice-based Integrated Farming System for Farmer Leaders" from July to August 2024 to prepare the rice farmers for the upcoming search for Top Performing Rice-based Farms in the Ilocos Region. The training sessions were held at ATI-RTC I, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, and at the ATI-RTC I Satellite Center in Batac City, Ilocos Norte with a total of 130 trained farmer leaders from various Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) across the region. The four (4) batches were conducted on July 16 – 18 and August 13 – 14; July 31- August 2, and August 15-16; August 19 – 23; and August 28 – 31, respectively.
The training program was focused on the establishment and management of rice-based integrated farms, financial literacy, transformational leadership, cooperative development and marketing strategies as key components in empowering the farmers to better manage farm resources and drive positive change, ensuring the long-term success of their farm businesses and organizations.
The positive impact of the training was evident in participants’ feedback expressing their excitement about RBIFS and its potential for growing other crops besides rice, as well as the financial security in integrating livestock into rice farming.
One of the primary outputs of the training was the participants’ re-entry plans providing details on how they would apply their newly acquired knowledge. It is hoped that through the training, the trained farmer leaders are equipped to lead their communities toward more sustainable and profitable farming practices.
