A total of 55 rice farmers received site-specific recommendations during the “Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS) Briefing” conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA, in partnership with the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center Mamburao, on May 8, 2026, in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.
The activity aimed to equip rice farmers with science-based and data-driven recommendations to improve rice productivity, optimize fertilizer use, reduce production costs, and increase farmers’ income through the adoption of modern digital agriculture technologies.
In his welcome remarks delivered through a pre-recorded video message, ATI-MIMAROPA Center Director Pat Andrew B. Barrientos encouraged participants to actively engage in the activity and apply the knowledge they gained to their respective rice farms. He also urged them to share their learnings with fellow farmers in their communities to further strengthen local agricultural productivity and sustainability.
During the activity, participants were introduced to the purpose, features, and benefits of RCMAS, a digital decision-support tool designed to provide customized crop and nutrient management recommendations for rice farmers.
Each farmer then underwent an individual interview facilitated by the ATI-MIMAROPA Information Services Section, together with two agricultural extension workers from FITS-Mamburao and the Provincial Agriculture Office. The interview gathered important farm-specific data, including rice variety, planting schedule, fertilizer practices, irrigation source, and target yield, among others.
Following the interview, each participant received a personalized one-page RCMAS recommendation tailored to their specific farm conditions. The recommendations included guidance on nutrient management, fertilizer application timing, and other best farming practices.
The Municipal Agriculture Office of Mamburao expressed its gratitude for the conduct of the RCMAS briefing, emphasizing that the activity was timely, especially with the ongoing distribution of rice seeds. The office also highlighted the importance of providing farmers with recommendations that can serve as a guide in improving farm productivity.
The initiative highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration among local government units, agricultural extension workers, and farmers in promoting climate-resilient and technology-driven agriculture in the province.
