Twenty-three (23) Agricultural Extension Workers and two (2) Local Farmer Technicians from the municipalities in Occidental Mindoro successfully completed the Training on Productivity Enhancement of Rice Area (PERA) on March 11-15, 2024 at Lola’s Healthy Farm, Brgy. Poblacion, Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro.
Mr. Jay-ar B. Madriaga, Agriculturist II, and Mr. Jayson N. Erondo, Agriculturist II/OIC-Section Chief, served as the resource speakers for the five-day training. Through lecture-discussion, they equipped the participants with the necessary skills in rice farming, including its Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
The participants gained practical knowledge from the lecture led by Mr. Madriaga on Rice-Based Integrated Farming System, Palayamanan System, and the Establishment and Management of Rice-Duck System. Likewise, Mr. Erondo’s discussion on the Evolution of GAP in the Philippines and the Code of GAP on Rice further improved their understanding of the purpose of GAP in agricuture: to reduce environmental impacts and maximize agricultural outputs while ensuring economic viability and food safety.
Moreover, they learned through hands-on activities about the process of preparing Urea-Molasses-Mineral Blocks, as well as the steps and best practices in seed and seedling preparation, thus acquiring hands-on experience in farming methods essential for sustainable agriculture.
One of the highlights of the training was the completion of the re-entry plan by the participants. This plan ensures that the knowledge and skills gained during the training will be effectively applied in their respective communities.
“Salamat ATI sa inyong patuloy na pag-share ng kaalaman. Sa aking mga kasamahang mula sa iba't ibang munisipalidad, maraming salamat sa limang araw na pagsasama-sama. Naging masaya tayo at marami tayong natutunan. Sana ay maibahagi natin ang ating mga natutunan sa ating mga kasamang magsasaka at maisakatuparan ang ating re-entry plan, para marami tayong matutulungan,”said Mr. Jumar M. Datinguinoo, Farm Supervisor, Office the of the Provincial Agriculture.
With a total of 25 participants, the said training was spearheaded by the Agricultural Training Institute in MIMAROPA through its Partnership and Accreditation Services Section.
