LOS ANGELES, Butuan City- Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII conducted its first batch of Training of Trainers (TOT) on Corn Production Technologies on March 29-31, 2022 at ATI Training Center, Los Angeles, Butuan City.

The training aims to capacitate the participants’ knowledge, and skills on different technologies in corn farming for them to support the corn farmers in the field.

The three-day activity with 14 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units, was attended by 22 corn coordinators from the province of Agusan del Norte.

Topics discussed were the status of the corn industry in the Philippines, cultural management, practices of corn from seed to seed, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). It highlighted the discussions on the status of Fall Army Worm (FAW) incidence in the Philippines, prevention, control and management practices, suppression techniques, and methods for FAW.

Likewise, the participants had a field practicum for monitoring corn insect pests and diseases and preparation and installation of FAW trap using pheromone lure in Aparre Farm, Brgy. Sumilihon, Butuan City. Participants were also introduced to different types of machinery to be used in the corn industry.

Each participant crafted a municipal FAW management plan for their respective municipality.

The second batch of the training will be conducted on May 11-13, 2022 and May 25-27, 2022 for the 3rd batch.

The TOT was spearheaded by the Career Development Management Services Section (CDMSS) through Neptali V. Madarimot, Training Specialist II and Corn Program Point Person.