Learning Site for Agriculture

Overview
 

• A farm that practices applicable agricultural technologies, employs doable farming strategies, and operates successfully, thus, worthy of emulation.
• The Farmer/Farm Family is relatively advanced compared to the rest of the farmers.
• The LSA includes a successful agri-processing enterprise owned by a processor who is not necessarily a farmer/farm family.

 

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LSA shall serve as the following:
 

• a practicum area to complement classroom learning;
• a venue for training and other extension activities like practical and hands-on learning for immediate use;
• visit area for farmers, rural community members, ATI’s training participants, agriculture students, and other private individuals; work immersion site for students from schools; and
• source of the other extension services in the field such as farm business advisory services, information support, and technology demonstration.

 

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Classification of LSA I
 

1. Farming LSAs. A farm that practicing/engaged in any of the farming activities such as:

• Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), various crops;
• Good Animal Husbandry Practice (GAHP), various animals;
• Natural Farming. A farm practicing organic agriculture but not yet certified by the Organic Agriculture Certifying Body;
• Organic Agriculture. The farm is certified by the Organic Agriculture Certifying Body;
• Integrated/diversified farming, to cater to those not yet certified as GAP/OA/GAHP, includes commodity-based farming system;
• Cut Flowers, Ornamentals, and Succulents;
• Halal; and
• Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture. Growing crops and raising livestock, poultry, and fish in an urban setting. No minimum area requirement but the farm must be productive

2. Agri-Processing LSA. The farmers and non-farmers who are engaged in the processing of fruits & vegetables, meat, fish, and other agricultural products including the by-products of agricultural commodities.

 

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Qualification Requirements

Farming LSA

The Farm

1. can be any of the following: (a) Privately-owned; (b) Farmers/Fishers Organization operated farm (RBO - 4H Club, RIC, P4MP, IAs, IPs Organization, MS Organization, ARB Organization, Coconut Farmers Association/ Cooperatives other farmers/ fishers associations; farmers/fishers cooperatives); and (c) Government-owned
2. is integrated and diversified; a specialized farm producing a specific commodity; a farm demonstrating AF technology/ies.
3. has basic techno-demo farm facilities: (a) Technology Demonstration Area (with minimum requirement of 1,000 sq.m. except for urban and peri-urban agriculture garden with no minimum area requirement; 1 ha. for Coconut-based Farm under the CFIDP; 25 heads for Livestock); (b) Holding Area; (c) Wash Area; and (d) Toilet; and
4. is accessible by land and other transportation facilities.

 

The Farmer/Farm Family

1. is a graduate of Agriculture/Fisheries training courses/programs relevant to the operation of an LSA, photocopy of the certificate as evidence;
2. is a farm tiller or should be the main actor in the operation of the farm, not just a farm owner/business person;
3. should be willing and able to demonstrate technology/ies in the farm to the clientele at the time needed;
4. is a farmer-leader or is respected in the community with (certification of good standing from Barangay Captain or other authorities in the community as evidence);
5. should be willing to be trained regularly;
6. is physically fit to perform the responsibilities of an LSA operator and the LSA;
7. a Filipino citizen residing in the country;
8. is registered in the RSBSA by the DA; in the case of coconut-based farmers - is registered in the NCFRS by the PCA.

 

 

 

Agri-Processing LSA

The Enterprise

1. can be any of the following: (a) Privately-owned with business permit and DTI registration; (b) Farmers/Fishers Organization operated enterprise (RBO - 4H Club, RIC, P4MP, IAs, IP Organization, MS Organization, ARB Organization, other farmers/fishers associations; farmers/fishers cooperatives) with a business permit and a DTI registration; (c) Government-owned for learning purposes;
2. has basic agri-processing facilities: (a) Technology Demonstration Area; (b) Holding Area; (c) Wash Area; and (d) Toilet;
3. is either multi-product or specialized;
4. is accessible by land and other transportation facilities.

 

The Agri-Processing Enterprise Owner

1. may not necessarily be a farmer/farm family;
2. is a graduate of Agriculture/Fisheries processing training courses/programs relevant to the operation of a LSA;
3. is the main actor in the operation of the agri-enterprise, not just the business owner;
4. should be willing and able to demonstrate technology/ies of the agri-enterprise to the clientele at the time needed;
5. is a leader or is respected in the community;
6. should be willing to be trained regularly;
7. is physically fit to perform the responsibilities of an LSA operator and the LSA;
8. a Filipino citizen residing in the country;
9. Other considerations (if applicable):
10. Recipient of processing equipment and facilities, other benefits from the DA agencies, and other development agencies (DTI, DOST, etc.)
11. Recipient of agri-processing related awards from credible institutions).

 

Government-Owned

1. Should be successful in demonstrating farming or the agri-processing enterprise for learning purposes;
2. must have a staff permanently assigned with a Special Order/Designation as evidence to maintain and demonstrate technologies of the farm or the agri-processing enterprise to the Clients at any given time; and
3. Generally, fall under the “Technical Assistance “Only” category.

 

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Responsibilities of LSA Operator
 

• For LSA I with fund support: (a) Prepare a development plan for the enhancement of LSA I; (b) Provide a counterpart in the enhancement of LSA I; (c) Implement the development plan as approved and completed based on the agreed time frame; and (d) Notify the ATI upon completion of the development plan through an LSA Project Completion Report.
   
• For the farming LSA, implement a diversified and integrated farming system/specialized farming/AF technology/ies;
   
• For the agri-processing enterprise, implement and promote agri-processing activities through the value-chain;
   
• Make available the farm/agri-processing enterprise as a demonstration area for hands-on learning;
   
• Provide lectures/orientations to on-site training participants, visiting groups, ATI’s scholarship grantees, 4-H youth trainees, and other groups arranged by the ATI;
   
• Share the technologies applied to fellow farmers/agri-processors;
   
• Attend ATI-required monitoring and capability-building interventions/ activities;
   
• Maintain operation records such as production and sales data, technologies developed/shared, farm/processing enterprise activities undertaken, visitors and trainees served, and other relevant accomplishments;
   
• Allow the ATI personnel to conduct field monitoring and visits and provide honest information to questions raised;
   
• Submit a semestral accomplishment report to the ATI which contains the operations records maintained, among others; and
   
• Sustain the operation as LSA I for five (5) years.

 

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Step 1: Briefing. The applicant shall be briefed about the procedure, requirements, and responsibilities of an LSA using the LSA Briefer.

Step 2: Self-Assessment. The applicant shall conduct a self-assessment if they are qualified to become a certified LSA I based on the briefer.

Step 3: Submission of duly accomplished documentary requirements. The LSA applicants shall submit the following documentary requirements: (a) Signed Briefer; (b) Self-Assessment form; (c) Letter of Intent to become a farming/agri-processing enterprise LSA addressed to ATI Director; (d) Endorsement from Municipal/City Agriculture Office or Provincial Agriculture Office; and (e) Farm/Agri-Processing Enterprise Profile Form; Additional requirements (If applicable):

• For agri-processing enterprise, certified true copy of the business permit and DTI/FDA registration;
• For government institutions, a Special Order designating/assigning a permanent staff for the operations of the farm/agri-processing enterprise;
• For organizations, a Board Resolution, SEC Registration / Articles of Incorporation / BIR Registration;

Step 4: Evaluation of Documentary Requirements. The submitted documentary requirements shall be reviewed upon receipt of the application. The applicant will be informed about the results;

Step 5: Field/Virtual Validation. The field/virtual validation shall be undertaken by the TWG to ensure compliance or conformity to approved guidelines.

Step 6: Endorsement of LSA application documents to ATI-CO by the ATI-RTCs. A scanned copy of duly accomplished application documents with endorsement of the RTWG.

Step 7: Issuance of Certificate and Memorandum of Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding Signing. Complete application requirements shall be issued Certification as LSA.