SAN PEDRO, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur – Playing its role as a capability builder in the agricultural extension sector, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII conducted the five-day Training of Trainers on Operation and Management of Mechanical Rice Transplanter on June 13-17, 2022 at San Pedro Country Farm Resort and Event Center Inc.

The activity aims to develop the participant’s skill and knowledge of the operation, maintenance, and management of mechanical rice transplanter and seedling preparation.

Twenty individuals composed of Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and farmers from Surigao del Sur successfully completed the training. They were able to learn the safety guidelines, basic parts and functions, maintenance, basic troubleshooting, and the importance of a mechanical rice transplanter.

Engr. Jayvee T. Rulona, Senior Research Analyst (SRA) from DA-PHilMech, discussed the financial component of mechanical rice transplanter (walking and ride-on type). Henry A. Jimenez of PhilRice Agusan explained the palay check: land preparation and climate-resilient rice varieties and innovation.

Enosencio B. Minguez, Agriculturist II from DA-Rice shared his topics on the proper way of preparing rice seedlings. He also demonstrated the three types of seedling preparation using a seedling tray and seeder, traditional techniques, and double mulching preparation.

Participants also performed actual operations on both walk-behind type rice trans-planter and ride-on type rice transplanter.

“There are a lot of ideas and techniques that I learned in this training. This is also a big opportunity for me to be part of this training to enhance what I have right now,” said Francisco A. Roluna, one of the farmer-participants from Hinapoyan, Carmen, Surigao del Sur.