The Agricultural Training Institute - Central Luzon (ATI-CL) successfully conducted the first batch of the Training on Rice-Based Integrated Farming System from May 5 to 7, 2026 at the St. Isidore 'the FARMer' Learning Center, Sta. Ana, Pampanga.
The three-day training aimed to strengthen farmersโ knowledge and skills on rice-based integrated farming systems through practical lessons, guided discussions, and hands-on demonstrations. The program also sought to improve farm productivity while helping farmers expand their income opportunities through business-oriented farm management practices.
During the opening program, Reinalyn C. Gulen, Officer-in-Charge, Assistant Center Director and Senior Agriculturist of ATI-CL, delivered the welcome message and provided participants with an overview of rice production technologies, from production to post-harvest management. This was followed by a discussion from the Justine M. Abaco, Planning Evaluation Officer I, who introduced the concept and principles of rice-based integrated farming.
On the second day, Jayson B. Nidua, Training Specialist II, discussed livestock integration and emphasized its role in diversifying farm enterprises and improving resource-use efficiency. Meanwhile, Karl Marx A. Quiazon, Director of Freshwater Aquacultural Center, presented fish culture integration in rice production, while Rowena G. Kassem, Supervising Agriculturist from OPA-Pampanga highlighted the importance of biomass recycling as a key component of sustainable integrated farming systems.
In another session, Krizzell D. Galang, Training Specialist I, led the discussion on rice-vegetable farming and shared additional livelihood opportunities through rice-based mushroom production. She also underscored the importance of developing an entrepreneurial mindset to ensure the success and sustainability of integrated farming enterprises.
As part of the training activities, participants engaged in a hands-on practicum on the production of mushroom fruiting bags. They also joined an experiential tour of the St. Isidore Farm, which serves as a model of a rice-based integrated farming system integrating livestock, vegetables, fish, and mushroom production.
One of the participants, Michael N. Hipolito from Arayat, Pampanga, shared his insights from the training. โNapagtanto ko na hindi pala dapat sinusunog ng isang magsasaka ang dayami, at hindi rin dapat iisa lamang ang itinatanim. Kapag nalugi ang isang pananim o dumating ang kalamidad tulad ng bagyo, mayroon pa ring ibang mapagkukunan ng kabuhayan.โ
At the end of the training, participants developed their respective re-entry plans outlining concrete steps to establish and strengthen integrated farming practices in their own farms.
