The Agricutural Training Institute - Regional Training Center 02 (ATI-RTC 02) conducted Training on Participatory Guarantee System and Organic Agriculture Standards for Organizations, Farmers and Agricultural Extension Workers for the Province of Quirino. The activity is in support to the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture-Experiment Station (DA-QES) and Provincial Government of  Quirino. 

The training was conducted at the DA-QES, Aglipay, Quirino, on August 20-22, 2024. It was attended by 31 farmer-leaders and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) involved in the implementation of Organic Agriculture Standards.

The activity capacitated the farmer-leaders and AEWs in undertaking the organic certification process. They were also taught on how to train farmers in organic farming techniques such as  soil management, seed selection, crop rotation, and pest and disease management without synthetic chemicals.

On the other hand, the topic on organic pigmented rice production was discussed in support to the specially rice production of the province. Additionally, the participants were trained on the cultivation practices unique to pigmented rice varieties to maximize yield and quality. They  also had the chance to do hands-on exercises and demonstrate what they have learned such as mock inspection.

Meanwhile, Mr. Foster John M. Pugong, a farmer leader from Maddela, Quirino said that he learned a lot from the hands-on training and appreciated that the training gave him an insight to do his role as certifier. “Ang ganda dahil nalaman ko kung paano i-role play at i-practice ang aking natutunan lalo na kung kami naman na ang mag-certify,” Mr. Pugong said.