The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center XII (ATI-RTC XII) continues its Season-Long Training of Trainers on Integrated Crop Management for corn, now in its third week. This comprehensive program aims to equip participants with advanced skills in sustainable corn cultivation, with a current focus on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the use of Biological Control Agents. Led by Regional Crop Protection Center experts Mr. Jenefer Bitoon and Mr. Ariel Boreros, participants gain practical insights into pest control methods designed to minimize chemical use and promote eco-friendly practices.

A highlight of the program is its hands-on component. Each Thursday, participants engage directly with their crops, visiting demonstration plots in Brgy. San Felipe, Tantangan, South Cotabato. These on-site sessions allow participants to apply IPM strategies in real time, managing pests and monitoring crop health under expert guidance. This practical training reinforces classroom learning and sharpens skills critical to effective crop management.

Fridays are reserved for community outreach through Farmers’ Field Schools. During these sessions, participants travel to nearby barangays to administer pre-tests, teach essential IPM concepts, and deliver special lectures to local farmers. This interaction fosters knowledge-sharing and extends the training’s impact to a wider farming audience, benefiting local communities and enhancing sustainability practices at the grassroots level.

The Season-Long Training of Trainers on Integrated Crop Management, running from July 15 to November 15, 2024, in South Cotabato, is facilitated by ATI-RTC XII's Corn Program. By developing trainers’ skills in both theory and practice, the program aims to empower them to support local farmers in boosting crop productivity and adopting sustainable agricultural techniques. Through rigorous, field-based learning, trainers are better prepared to promote effective and resilient farming practices in their regions.