Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City---The Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) in Region X recently conducted the Regional LSA, SPA, and PAF-ESP Assessment and Farmers Forum on May 27-28, 2024, at the Harborlights Hotel in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City.
The two-day event with the theme Sowing Seeds of Sustainability: Empowering Farmers for a Greener Tomorrow, brought together various stakeholders, including local government officials, agricultural extension workers, and farmers, to assess the progress and impact of the Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA), School for Practical Agriculture (SPA), and Private Agriculture and Fisheries-Extension Service Providers (PAF-ESP).
This year's event shines the spotlight on the hardworking farmers of the region, showcasing their freshest and finest farm products. Through its yearly LSA Bazaar, the event serves as a platform for farmers to showcase their skills and farming technologies. The LSA Bazaar is more than just a marketplace for high-quality, locally sourced products, but a vibrant celebration of Northern Mindanao's rich agricultural bounty and produce. Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez led the ribbon-cutting ceremony along with RAFC Vice-Chairperson Roldan Maglungsod, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulation Cora Dumayaca, BAFF farm owner Henry Binahon, CAO representative Niel Vincent Cabacungan, and Senior Agriculturist/ PAS Section Chief Javier P. Andalan.
"We're happy to announce that for this year we have really grown big, because as of now, we have 190 learning sites level 1, 149, 23 ka level 2 learning sites for agriculture, and 2 extension service providers. That makes us 190 workforce. So, we're so happy also because ang among panglantaw para sa mga (our vision for these) learning sites has really happened, and is really happening," Center Director Maria Lydia Echavez said in her welcome message.
The assessment aimed to identify successes, challenges, and areas for improvement in the implementation of these initiatives, which are designed to support and empower smallholder farmers in the region. The Farmers Forum provided a platform for open dialogue and knowledge sharing, allowing participants to discuss best practices, share experiences, and explore new opportunities for sustainable agricultural development.
The event was organized by the center's Partnership and Accreditation Services (PAS) section to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, as well as to provide a platform for open dialogue and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, including local government officials, agricultural extension workers, and the farmers.
The successful staging and completion of the Regional LSA, SPA, and PAF-ESP Assessment and Farmers Forum shows the center's commitment in supporting and empowering smallholder farmers in Northern Mindanao.
