A total of 30 New Local Farmer Technicians of the provinces of Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya attended the first batch of Training of Trainers (TOT) on Rice Production at ATI-RTC 02 San Mateo, Isabela on March 17-28, 2025. 

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.

The participants also engaged in field activities that allowed them to practice rice farm machinery operations, and conduct of Agro-ecosystem Analysis. Additionally, they showcase their extension communication skills through microteaching.

LFTs are partners of the Department of Agriculture and LGUs in the provision of extension services towards improving rice productivity. They are expected to share their learnings, technologies and practices to their fellow farmers in the community.

Writer: Cupido Sabatin, Jr.