Pilar, Bohol — The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 7 (ATI-RTC 7) recently concluded Phase 1 of its Empowering Trainers, Cultivating Success: A Comprehensive Approach to Sustainable Vegetable Production & Farm Business Excellence training series. The event was held from February 17 to 28, 2025, at the Labonite Integrated Farm in San Isidro, Pilar, Bohol.

The training aimed to develop Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), Local Service Area Representatives, and farmers from Region 7 into effective trainers. These participants are now equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate Season-Long Training Farmer Field Schools and Farm Business Schools, focusing on sustainable vegetable production and seed yam production for Ubi. The goal is to enhance the productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability of vegetable farming in the region.

The training program emphasized blending local/experiential knowledge with science-based agricultural practices, ensuring that the participants could deliver relevant, practical, and culturally appropriate lessons to the local farming community.

The training featured a lineup of prominent resource persons and experts from various agricultural and research institutions, including:

Ms. Hazeel May B. Roche, Agriculturist I at ATI-RTC 7; Clarissa B. Jamilo, PhD, from SSRS, DA-BES; Mr. Ray Alvin Ray Mariscal and Mr. Rachel A. Ondras, from DA-FRO 7 Soils Laboratory; Marina A. Labonite, PhD, Owner of Labonite Integrated Farm; Marcheta C. Brina, Chief of BPI-NSQCS 7; Ms. Meriam S. Cabanatuan, from DA-RFO 7 Regulatory Division; Mr. Michael Cedric B. Bartolome, Technical Team Member (Taxonomy/Botany/Plant Genetic Resources Conservation) of the BSF 5 RiceRoots Legacy Project UPLB; Ms. Shanemie Carelle D. Pradera, Information Officer II, ATI-RTC 7 and Merrian Piquero Soliva, PhD, Information Officer III, ATI-RTC 7.

The diverse expertise of the resource persons helped participants gain both theoretical and practical insights into effective vegetable and seed yam farming.

The training was spearheaded by Joemelyn A. Sumagang, Training Specialist II, who served as the Project Officer. Hazeel May B. Roche, Agriculturist I at ATI-RTC 7, served as Co-Project Officer, with Hannah R. Cosicol, Training Support Staff I, providing crucial assistance throughout the program.

A total of 28 AEWs, 9 LSA Representatives, and Farmers participated in the two-week training. These individuals will now serve as trainers themselves, equipped to pass on their knowledge to other local farmers in Region 7. This training represents a significant effort to improve agricultural practices and boost the region's vegetable production industry.