Participants operate the automatic rice harvester during their field hands-on activity

Central Visayas. Two consecutive batches of Training of Trainers (TOT) on Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice, Seed Certification, and Farm Mechanization were recently conducted within the first semester of 2023. The first batch was held in Labonite Family Farm, San Isidro, Pilar, Bohol, from February 27 to March 10, 2023, and the second batch was in Julsam Pension House, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, from March 20 to 31, 2023.

The primary goal of the TOT was to train participants to demonstrate the modified season-long Farmer Field School on the Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice Seeds. To achieve this objective, the training had three enabling objectives, namely, to help the farmers become competitive through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), to explain the concepts and principles of the PalayCheck System specifically on the production of high-quality inbred rice seeds, and to discuss training management skills and knowledge on basic financial management.

The training was attended by 32 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and farmers from Bohol province, for the first batch, and 28 AEWs and farmers for the second batch from Negros Oriental. The participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the program, highlighting the impact and benefits the training brought to their knowledge and skills as agricultural extension workers.

The speakers were praised as knowledgeable, efficient, and creative in delivering their topics, while the facilitators were approachable, energetic, and resourceful. The participants were cooperative, eager to learn, and resourceful in their own right, while the training venue, accommodation and food were also commended.

The training on Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice, Seed Certification, and Farm Mechanization is crucial, not just in improving the rice production management of agricultural extension workers and farmers, but also in ensuring food security and agricultural competitiveness in the country. This kind of program must be pursued and supported to bring about a sustainable, productive, and progressive agriculture sector.