The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) MIMAROPA Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, conducted a Training on Corn Cluster Development on June 1–5, 2026, at PEMS Pension and Restaurant, Taytay, Palawan, attended by 26 participants composed of Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and farmers from different municipalities in the province.
The five-day training included lectures, workshops, and a benchmarking activity designed to deepen AEWs and farmers’ understanding of corn cluster development and its role in improving farming systems.
Resource persons from the DA MIMAROPA F2C2 Program, Ms. Patricia Niña G. Tolentino, Organizational Development Officer, and Ms. Jobelle A. Jano, Project Development Officer, served as resource persons. They discussed the overview of farm clustering, types of corn clusters, organizational structures, features and benefits of clustering, and the formulation of farm cluster development plans, as well as operational and strategic planning.
One of the highlights of the training was the benchmarking activity at the Caban Corn Cluster in Brgy. Bantulan, where participants engaged with cluster members through interviews and discussions. Host farmers shared their experiences, success stories, and best practices in clustering, and emphasized the benefits of collective action while encouraging other farmer associations to form their own clusters.
As part of the training, Ms. Ira L. Gusi, Technical Support Staff of ATI-MIMAROPA, discussed the fundamentals of Gender and Development (GAD) and the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (VAWC), highlighting the importance of gender sensitivity and inclusivity in community and agricultural development.
“Ang unang tumatak sa aking isipan ay ang kahalagahan ng clustering sa mga asosasyon sa aming bayan, at malaki ang naidagdag nito sa aking kaalaman. Bagama’t limitado ang aking kaalaman sa SWOT noon, mas lumawak ito ngayon. Lubos kaming nagpapasalamat at sisikapin naming i-apply at i-share ang aming natutunan sa aming asosasyon at sa ibang samahan. Nawa, sa inyong pagbabalik, isa na kami sa matatag na cluster,” shared Ms. Maribeth B. Gutierrez, farmer from Maabet Rural Improvement Club.
In his message of support, ATI-MIMAROPA Center Director Pat Andrew B. Barrientos emphasized the importance of strengthening farmer organizations through clustering and consolidation to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability in the region. He also thanked the participants for actively engaging in the training, noting that their involvement is important to the success of agricultural development programs.
