The Agricultural Training Institute – Central Luzon (ATI-CL), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office III (DA-RFO III), held its second and third batches of the Training on Cluster Development Plan for Rice Production Cluster in Region III on April 7-11, 2025, at Merryland Integrated Farm and Training Center Inc., Brgy. Taal, Pulilan, Bulacan and from April 21 to 25, 2025 at Hacienda Angelita Nature Farm Training and Assessment Center Inc., Brgy. Capihan, San Rafael, Bulacan.
A total of fifty-three (53) participants attended the training. The second batch included twenty-four farmer leaders from different Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) in Pulilan and San Rafael, Bulacan, along with three (3) Agricultural Extension Workers. Also, twenty-two (22) farmer leaders from different FCAs in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, and three (3) Agricultural Extension Workers, participated in the training.
The training program aimed to empower Rice Farmer Clusters in Region to develop their own Cluster Development Plans (CDPs). These CDPs serve as a requirement for the Department of Agriculture to effectively deliver its major interventions and support to small farmers and fishers.
Mr. Noel M. Mauricio shared his positive impression of the training, stating its importance, along with CSO Accreditation, for future planning and goal setting. He expressed hope for the successful implementation of the developed plans.
Throughout the training, experts from ATI-CL and DA-RFO III delivered different topics designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills for crafting their CDPs.
Furthermore, training allowed participants to apply their learning and collaboratively formulate strategic plans for their specific clusters, encouraging both collaboration and critical thinking.
