The Agricultural Training Institute - Central Luzon (ATI-CL) successfully conducted the first batch of the Training on Integrated Pest Management in Rice Production on June 8โ12, 2026, at the ATI-CL Satellite Office in Brgy. Singalat, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
Thirty (30) farmers from the Samahan ng mga Organikong Magsasaka ng Brgy. Balaring, General Mamerto Natividad; General Orion Agricultural Cooperative; Talabutab Norte Primary Multipurpose Cooperative; Casa Real Primary Multipurpose Cooperative; Nag-iisang Masikap Primary Multipurpose Cooperative; Santor Bongabon Agricultural Cooperative; and Bagong Pag-Asa Larcon Farmers Association successfully completed the training.
The training aimed to promote the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an approach to pest control in rice production. Through this training, farmers were able to enhance their knowledge and skills in various pest management strategies, which are expected to help increase crop yields while reducing the cost of farm inputs.
As part of the training, participants also conducted an Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA). Through this activity, they assessed the current condition of rice crops, identified pest populations, and observed beneficial insects present in the rice fields. AESA also helped them better understand the interactions among organisms in the rice ecosystem and enabled them to make informed decisions regarding crop management.
The training was facilitated by Christian T. Ramos, Deputy Regional Rice Program Coordinator from DA-RFO III; Trojane V. Soberano, Senior Science Research Specialist from RCPC; Leonardo V. Marquez, Senior Science Research Specialist from PhilRice; Rhey Mark S. Credo, Agriculturist II from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority; and Reynalyn R. Destura, Giselle Ann G. Mangubat, and Benigno V. Soriano Jr., Technical Support Staff from ATI-CL.
โNatitiyak ko po na itong mga napag-aralan namin sa mga pest management, techniques, at sa mga binigay niyo po sa amin na mga abilities at sa mga knowledge na shinare sa amin ng aming mga trainers ay magagamit namin hindi lamang po sa pang sarili namin bagkus ay maibabahagi din po namin sa mga kasamahan po namin sa mga asosasyon at kooperatiba. Natutuwa po kami at nagagalak dahil isa po kami sa mapapalad na nakatungtong po dito sa bulwagan ninyo para po matuto,โ Rachelle N. Cuenco of Talabutab Norte Primary Multipurpose Cooperative shared her reflections on the five-day training.
Through these initiatives, ATI-CL and its partner agencies continue to empower farmers in effective implementation of integrated pest management strategies.
Written by:ย Reynalyn R. Destura
