BRGY. BAYANIHAN, Butuan City - The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII gave importance to consuming high-quality and healthy foods through Training of Trainers (TOT) on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Vegetable Production last March 6-10, 2023 at MSC Center for the Poor in this city.

The training was participated by 23 Agricultural Extension Workers from the different municipalities in the region; these will form part of the new pool of trainers equipped with improved knowledge and skills on GAP.

Lecture-discussion and open forum were the approaches employed by the resource persons from Caraga State University (CSU), namely, Dr. Crishelo Cabillo, Mr. Reuben James Rollon, and Ms. Joanne Langres. Other resource persons were from the DA-Regional Field Office XIII: Mr. Romer Amante and Mr. Beb Palingcod.

The participants acted as inspectors as they underwent a GAP mock inspection in two (2) vegetable farms in Cabadbaran City. It was one of the highlights of the ToT. Using a checklist, the participants assessed the vegetable farms' compliance with GAP based on the Philippine National Standard—recommendations presented and discussed with the farm owners based on the inspection findings during the exit meeting.

Aside from the results of their field inspection, participants likewise submitted their action plan as their primary output of the training.

ATI-RTC XIII conducted the training spearheaded by the Partnership and Accreditation Services Section (PASS) with Mary Jane Gonzaga, Development Management Officer II, as Project Officer.