Queen of Corn: The participant is harvesting her hard work and success.
MADALAG, Aklan – In fulfillment to further capacitate the corn industry in fourth-class municipalities, ATI Region 6, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños, spearheads season-long training titled Farmer-Scientists Training Program (FSTP) Phase I with 31 corn farmer participants in April-July, 2024 at Brgy. Logohon, Madalag, Aklan.
The FSTP is a specialized course under the Corn Program, a technical science-based community development program focused on corn as a staple next to rice and producing farmer scientists who will contribute to developing the country's corn industry. Moreover, it moves for a sustainable farming system and crops and livestock production to enhance competitiveness, propel the corn industry, and increase the farmers' income in fourth-class municipalities.
The participants determine the average width and length of corn ears together with Anecito M. Anuada, University Researcher II from ASI-CAFS-UPLB.
It has three phases: Phase I, the values formation, research exposure, and technical empowerment; Phase II, the on-farm experimentation and technology adoption; and Phase III, the farmer-to-farmer technology transfer and adoption.
The organized and trained farmer participants serve as potential facilitators of FSTP in their communities to further enhance their corn industry. Data from the experimental plots of corn compared the effects of organic fertilizers vs. inorganic fertilizers, IPM, varietal trials, intercropping systems, and others.
On the other hand, implementing this season-long training has ended with a bountiful harvest. Victorio T. De Joseph Jr., Regional Corn Focal Person of ATI Region 6, is delighted to see the outcome of this training.
"Congratulations on the success of our FSTP Phase I journey. We hope that you will proceed to Phase II of this training. Learning is a continuous process. Today, we reap the success of your hard work and efforts in the different experimental studies. We believe that the knowledge and skills perceived during your weekly classes, with the help and support of your facilitators and resource persons, will not go to waste. May this training make you more productive and help improve the morale of the corn industry in your community. Thank you to all our partners for their unwavering support in making this training a success," said Mr. De Joseph after their harvest.
This season-long training aims to develop the participant's knowledge, skills, and attitudes by assimilating experiential and science-based knowledge in corn production technology, value-adding, and marketing aspects in preparation for FSTP Phase II.
THE SMILES OF SUCCESS: Photo Opportunity after the bountiful harvest of corn together with Mr. Anecito M. Anuada, University Researcher II from ASI-CAFS-UPLB and Municipal Agriculturist Office staff.
