Thirty-two new Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs) from Cagayan and Isabela completed the second batch of the Training of Trainers on Rice Production held on March 31 to April 11, 2025, at the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center II in Malasin, San Mateo, Isabela.

The training aimed to enhance the participants' knowledge, skills and attitude in modern rice production through the PalayCheck System, digital tools in agriculture, and agricultural extension methodologies. These activities equipped them with the competencies to effectively assist farmers in adopting improved practices, increasing productivity, and ensuring sustainable rice farming in alignment with the goals of the MASAGANA Rice Industry Development Program.

The training included a series of lectures covering the topics on Transformational Leadership and Values Restoration, MASAGANA Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) and Regional Rice Industry Situationer, Morphology, Growth Phases, and Stages of the Rice Plant, Overview of the PalayCheck System, PalayCheck Systems and its special topics, Digital Farming through ICT Tools and Resources in Agriculture, Basics of Agricultural Extension; Agricultural Extension Approaches, Strategies, Methods, Modalities, Intervention and Innovation; Extension Communication and Duties, Roles, Functions, and Responsibilities of LFTs. These were delivered by the resource speakers from ATI-RTC 02, PhilRice Isabela, DA-RCPC and DA Region 02.

In addition to lectures, participants engaged in hands-on field activities, including operation of rice farm machinery, Agro-Ecosystem Analysis, and microteaching exercises to hone their skills in extension communication and community engagement.

“Malaki ang tulong nito sa amin. Bilang isang LFT, nabigyan kami ng linaw kung ano nga ba ang tatahakin naming trabaho. Marami akong natutunan sa 12 days na training. Sa training na ito ay aking ma-i-a-apply at ma-i-sha-share sa mga magsasaka na aking makakasalamuha sa amin,” said Mr. Christian T. Tuppil, LFT from Tumauini, Isabela.

This training marks a significant step toward building a more responsive and capable network of farmer-technicians who will serve as direct links between the government and rice farmers in the countryside.

With renewed knowledge and strengthened commitment, these new LFTs are now ready to guide and empower fellow farmers in adopting improved technologies contributing to a more productive and sustainable Philippine rice industry.

Writer: Cupido Sabatin, Jr.