PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS – After four months of learning and participation, 28 corn farmers from the Municipality of Cagdianao received their certificates as graduates of the Farmer Scientist Training Program (FSTP) Phase I on August 9, 2023.

Generally, this program gears to enhance the corn farmers’ knowledge, skills, and attitude to develop their technical capabilities in corn-based cropping systems.

Partakers were given direct exposure and hands-on experience in conducting research as the basis for scientific farming. They were also able to set up experimental plots of corn in a farming system to compare different technological trials and know the best farming practices for maximizing yield and income potential on their farm.

“I am very grateful that I can join this training. Understanding different and new technologies for four months gave us a lot of insights. It made me realize how important it is to keep researching and not stop learning. Thus, this will help increase our produce and alleviate our well-being,” said Rotchel Jaducana, one of the participants.

 The said program was conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII together with the University of the Philippines - Los Baños, in coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Cagdianao, and the Provincial Agriculture Office of PDI.