LSA | ATI Central Visayas

Overview

A farm that practices applicable agricultural technologies, employs doable farming strategies, and operates successfully, thus, worthy of emulation.
The Farmer/Farm Family is relatively advanced compared to the rest of the farmers.
The LSA includes a successful agri-processing enterprise owned by a processor who is not necessarily a farmer/farm family.

LSA shall serve as the following:

a practicum area to complement classroom learning;
a venue for training and other extension activities like practical and hands-on learning for immediate use;
visit area for farmers, rural community members, ATI’s training participants, agriculture students, and other private individuals; work immersion site for students from schools; and
source of the other extension services in the field such as farm business advisory services, information support, and technology demonstration.

Classification of LSA I

1. Farming LSAs. A farm that practicing/engaged in any of the farming activities such as:

Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), various crops;
Good Animal Husbandry Practice (GAHP), various animals;
Natural Farming. A farm practicing organic agriculture but not yet certified by the Organic Agriculture Certifying Body;
Organic Agriculture. The farm is certified by the Organic Agriculture Certifying Body;
Integrated/diversified farming, to cater to those not yet certified as GAP/OA/GAHP, includes commodity-based farming system;
Cut Flowers, Ornamentals, and Succulents;
Halal; and
Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture. Growing crops and raising livestock, poultry, and fish in an urban setting. No minimum area requirement but the farm must be productive

2. Agri-Processing LSA. The farmers and non-farmers who are engaged in the processing of fruits & vegetables, meat, fish, and other agricultural products including the by-products of agricultural commodities.

Qualification Requirements

Farming LSA

The Farm

can be any of the following: (a) Privately-owned; (b) Farmers/Fishers Organization operated farm (RBO - 4H Club, RIC, P4MP, IAs, IPs Organization, MS Organization, ARB Organization, Coconut Farmers Association/ Cooperatives other farmers/ fishers associations; farmers/fishers cooperatives); and (c) Government-owned
is integrated and diversified; a specialized farm producing a specific commodity; a farm demonstrating AF technology/ies.
has basic techno-demo farm facilities: (a) Technology Demonstration Area (with minimum requirement of 1,000 sq.m. except for urban and peri-urban agriculture garden with no minimum area requirement; 1 ha. for Coconut-based Farm under the CFIDP; 25 heads for Livestock); (b) Holding Area; (c) Wash Area; and (d) Toilet; and
is accessible by land and other transportation facilities.

The Farmer/Farm Family

is a graduate of Agriculture/Fisheries training courses/programs relevant to the operation of an LSA, photocopy of the certificate as evidence;
is a farm tiller or should be the main actor in the operation of the farm, not just a farm owner/business person;
should be willing and able to demonstrate technology/ies in the farm to the clientele at the time needed;
is a farmer-leader or is respected in the community with (certification of good standing from Barangay Captain or other authorities in the community as evidence);
should be willing to be trained regularly;
is physically fit to perform the responsibilities of an LSA operator and the LSA;
a Filipino citizen residing in the country;
is registered in the RSBSA by the DA; in the case of coconut-based farmers - is registered in the NCFRS by the PCA.

Agri-Processing LSA

The Enterprise

can be any of the following: (a) Privately-owned with business permit and DTI registration; (b) Farmers/Fishers Organization operated enterprise (RBO - 4H Club, RIC, P4MP, IAs, IP Organization, MS Organization, ARB Organization, other farmers/fishers associations; farmers/fishers cooperatives) with a business permit and a DTI registration; (c) Government-owned for learning purposes;
has basic agri-processing facilities: (a) Technology Demonstration Area; (b) Holding Area; (c) Wash Area; and (d) Toilet;
is either multi-product or specialized;
is accessible by land and other transportation facilities.

The Agri-Processing Enterprise Owner

may not necessarily be a farmer/farm family;
is a graduate of Agriculture/Fisheries processing training courses/programs relevant to the operation of a LSA;
is the main actor in the operation of the agri-enterprise, not just the business owner;
should be willing and able to demonstrate technology/ies of the agri-enterprise to the clientele at the time needed;
is a leader or is respected in the community;
should be willing to be trained regularly;
is physically fit to perform the responsibilities of an LSA operator and the LSA;
a Filipino citizen residing in the country;
Other considerations (if applicable):
Recipient of processing equipment and facilities, other benefits from the DA agencies, and other development agencies (DTI, DOST, etc.)
Recipient of agri-processing related awards from credible institutions).

Government-Owned

Should be successful in demonstrating farming or the agri-processing enterprise for learning purposes;
must have a staff permanently assigned with a Special Order/Designation as evidence to maintain and demonstrate technologies of the farm or the agri-processing enterprise to the Clients at any given time; and
Generally, fall under the “Technical Assistance “Only” category.

Responsibilities of LSA Operator

For LSA I with fund support: (a) Prepare a development plan for the enhancement of LSA I; (b) Provide a counterpart in the enhancement of LSA I; (c) Implement the development plan as approved and completed based on the agreed time frame; and (d) Notify the ATI upon completion of the development plan through an LSA Project Completion Report.
For the farming LSA, implement a diversified and integrated farming system/specialized farming/AF technology/ies;
For the agri-processing enterprise, implement and promote agri-processing activities through the value-chain;
Make available the farm/agri-processing enterprise as a demonstration area for hands-on learning;
Provide lectures/orientations to on-site training participants, visiting groups, ATI’s scholarship grantees, 4-H youth trainees, and other groups arranged by the ATI;
Share the technologies applied to fellow farmers/agri-processors;
Attend ATI-required monitoring and capability-building interventions/ activities;
Maintain operation records such as production and sales data, technologies developed/shared, farm/processing enterprise activities undertaken, visitors and trainees served, and other relevant accomplishments;
Allow the ATI personnel to conduct field monitoring and visits and provide honest information to questions raised;
Submit a semestral accomplishment report to the ATI which contains the operations records maintained, among others; and
Sustain the operation as LSA I for five (5) years.

Step 1: Briefing. The applicant shall be briefed about the procedure, requirements, and responsibilities of an LSA using the LSA Briefer.

Step 2: Self-Assessment. The applicant shall conduct a self-assessment if they are qualified to become a certified LSA I based on the briefer.

Step 3: Submission of duly accomplished documentary requirements. The LSA applicants shall submit the following documentary requirements: (a) Signed Briefer; (b) Self-Assessment form; (c) Letter of Intent to become a farming/agri-processing enterprise LSA addressed to ATI Director; (d) Endorsement from Municipal/City Agriculture Office or Provincial Agriculture Office; and (e) Farm/Agri-Processing Enterprise Profile Form; Additional requirements (If applicable):

For agri-processing enterprise, certified true copy of the business permit and DTI/FDA registration;
For government institutions, a Special Order designating/assigning a permanent staff for the operations of the farm/agri-processing enterprise;
For organizations, a Board Resolution, SEC Registration / Articles of Incorporation / BIR Registration;

Step 4: Evaluation of Documentary Requirements. The submitted documentary requirements shall be reviewed upon receipt of the application. The applicant will be informed about the results;

Step 5: Field/Virtual Validation. The field/virtual validation shall be undertaken by the TWG to ensure compliance or conformity to approved guidelines.

Step 6: Endorsement of LSA application documents to ATI-CO by the ATI-RTCs. A scanned copy of duly accomplished application documents with endorsement of the RTWG.

Step 7: Issuance of Certificate and Memorandum of Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding Signing. Complete application requirements shall be issued Certification as LSA.

Kindly click to download and fill out the attached forms:

Kindly secure also the following:

Endorsement Letter from your LGU/City Agriculture Office
RSBSA / NCFRS
Medical Certificate
Certificate of Good Standing
Birth Certificate (PSA/NSO)
Training/Seminar Certificates
Land Title/Tax Declaration

As soon as they are all done, please submit the duly filled out forms and the endorsement letter (scanned copies) to ati_7cv@yahoo.com . We will notify you for the schedule of field validation/evaluation of the farm.

Should you have any clarifications, you may contact Engr. Rizaldy C. Mercadal- Learning Site Focal Person, Agriculturist II, ATI-RTC VII | 09173218524.