Baybay City, Leyte – Representatives from rice farmer organizations across Eastern Visayas gathered at the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 8 (ATI-RTC 8) in Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay City, Leyte, for the Training on Crafting of Cluster Development Plan for Rice Clusters Phase 1 – Batch 5 held on July 6–10, 2026. The five-day training equipped participants with the knowledge and skills needed to formulate strategic Cluster Development Plans (CDPs) that support the Department of Agriculture's rice cluster development initiatives.
The participants developed a comprehensive Cluster Development Plan (CDP) that integrates with the Collaborative Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Program (CPAFEP) while establishing a strategic roadmap toward increased farmer income, stronger cluster organizations, and enhanced local value chain development aligned with the Department of Agriculture's programs.
Throughout the activity, participants were oriented on the eligibility requirements of the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program and learned how to interpret enterprise assessment results. They also conducted Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Challenges (SWOC) analysis of their respective organizations, identified capacity-building needs and extension support requirements, and determined key organizational gaps that served as the foundation for their strategic planning.
“The techniques and skills I learned in this training are beneficial to our association.” shared Virginia Abiño, one of the participants from Dagami, Leyte. She said that the SWOC Analysis was the topic she will never forget as it was very important for them. “This knowledge will be very useful in each of our organizations. Our dream for our association will finally come to fruition.”
Guided by ATI facilitators, the developed draft Cluster Development Plans outlined priority interventions, development strategies, and proposed activities to strengthen their rice clusters. The workshop encouraged collaborative planning and provided a venue for participants to align their development priorities with existing programs, projects, and services of the Department of Agriculture.
As part of the agreed next steps, participants were provided with a timeline for the completion and validation of their draft CDPs. The plans will undergo review and signing by their respective Municipal Agriculturists (MAs) on July 11 to 31, 2026, before being endorsed to the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office VIII (DA-RFO 8) on or before August 3, 2026 for further refinement and finalization.
The same participants are expected to reconvene for Phase 2 of the training on August 17–21, 2026, where they will finalize and present their Cluster Development Plans before the Regional Technical Working Group for evaluation and approval. The activity forms part of ATI-RTC 8's continuing efforts to strengthen farmer organizations, promote cluster-based agricultural development, and enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the rice industry in Eastern Visayas.
