GIGAQUIT, Surigao del Norte - Twenty-six (26) rice farmers from this town celebrated their completion of the 14-week Modified Farmers Field School (MFFS) focused on the Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds and Farm Mechanization. The graduation ceremony took place at the Barangay Villafranca Hall. It was attended by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Provincial and Municipal Agriculture Office, municipal and barangay officials, and rice farmers.

The MFFS program, financed by the ATI, aimed to empower local rice farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve their rice production practices, enhance seed quality, and embrace modern farm mechanization techniques.

Violeta T. Laguna, the OIC Assistant Center Director of ATI-RTC 13, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the participants and the Local Government Units (LGUs) for their collaborative efforts in making the FFS a resounding success. She commended the farmers for their dedication and eagerness to learn, which, she believed, would greatly benefit their communities. Laguna further emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing, urging the graduates to pass on what they have learned to their fellow farmers in Gigaquit and beyond.

The 14-week MFFS covered a wide range of topics essential for modernizing rice farming practices. Farmers received comprehensive training in cultivating high-quality inbred rice, improving seed quality through proper selection and management, and embracing farm mechanization to increase efficiency and productivity. They were also taught the operation of a four-wheel-drive tractor and floating tiller machine.

Hon. Elias T. Borja, Sangguniang Bayan Member of Gigaquit, lauded the initiative of ATI in trying to transform agricultural production in the locality. On the other hand, Hon. Ramon Enario, Punong Barangay of Villafranca, expressed his gratitude for conducting the program in his village. He likewise pledged continued support for similar programs that empower farmers and enhance food security in Villafranca.

In her message, Gigaquit Municipal Agriculturist Gilda Bersabal, encouraged the farmers to share their knowledge with others so that the program will have a rippling effect and will reach far and wide, positively impacting the livelihoods of many more farmers in the municipality.

Angel Fazon, IPM Provincial Coordinator of Surigao del Norte, likewise said that the MFFS program serves as a testament to the potential for collaboration between national government agencies, LGUs, and local farmers to create productive agricultural communities. It is a step forward in ensuring a stable food supply for the country.