PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte— The Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) Federation of Davao Region gathered for its first quarterly meeting of CY 2025 at the ATI-RTC XI. Led by Federation President Engr. Ariel C. Mosquera, the meeting focused on key updates and initiatives to strengthen LSAs in the region. Center Director Alicia Rose Nebreja attended the event to address concerns and provide guidance to members.

One of the main points of discussion was the ongoing application for the organization to become a cooperative. Federation Secretary Cheryl Salenga shared updates on the process and outlined the necessary steps for completion. The group also reaffirmed its commitment to operationalizing the LSA office at ATI-RTC XI, discussing plans for its setup and assigning responsibilities for implementation.

Members were also briefed on key insights from the recent National Federation of LSAs meeting. The discussions covered important decisions at the national level and their potential impact on LSAs in the region. Moreover, the importance of submitting semestral accomplishment reports was emphasized, as timely submissions are crucial for continued recognition and support from ATI.

The necessity of renewing LSA certifications was also a focal point, with members reminded that maintaining an active certification is crucial in availing various services and resources. Another opportunity presented was the potential for LSAs to establish market linkages by supplying products to ATI-RTC XI caterers. This initiative was encouraged as a way to expand market reach and support local producers.

To ensure continuous learning and development, active participation in trainings and meetings was made mandatory. Assistant Center Director Olivia Gatus outlined the 2025 training targets under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Program (CFIDP), emphasizing the importance of these capacity-building initiatives. Furthermore, Brain Trust Inc. presented initial findings from its third-party evaluation of LSAs, highlighting key areas for improvement.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening LSAs in the region through collaboration, capacity-building, and market integration. Members were encouraged to actively participate in upcoming trainings and initiatives to sustain their growth and impact within the agricultural sector.--