The Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center X in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Regional Training Center X produces thirty-one (31) Agricultural Extension Workers and Farmer Leader trainers across the region for the Training of Trainers on Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System (IRDFS) conducted on September 11-13, 2024 in Lala, Lanao del Norte.
IRDFS is a sustainable agricultural method that combines the cultivation of rice with the raising of ducks, creating a beneficial ecosystem and providing numerous advantages both to the field and the farmers. Ducks are usually introduced into the fields once the rice seedlings are established, allowing them to graze without damaging the young plants. This integrated approach helps create more resilient farming systems and supports farmers' livelihoods.
The trainers, facilitated by the pool of experts on IRDFS, engaged in interactive discussions, hands-on demonstrations, and field visits to IRDFS farm practitioners to further expand their knowledge on this technology. As trainers, they are expected to communicate and share this practice to the farmers in their respective communities. Among those that they have learned during the training are the following: (1) Different breeds and breeding of ducks, (2) Duck Housing, (3) Rice Duck Management Practices, (4) Feeds and Feeding, (5) Health Management, (6) Climate Smart Livestock Production, (7) Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and (8) Farming as a Business, which were imparted by Mr. James P. Longcob, owner of JPL Farm, an ATI LSA and RCEF Farm School; Mr. Efren C. Macario, CPA, AO IV of ATI RTC X; and Mr. Bryan Jay V. Cabugwason, ATI Technical Support Staff.
Through this technology, farmers are able to earn extra money from the ducks and lessen their expenses on farm inputs especially in controlling pests. If practiced, IRDFS would eventually lead to an increase in the farmers’ net return.
