The Farmer-Scientist Training Program (FSTP) is an integrative and holistic three-phase agricultural research, development, and extension (RDE) methodology involving primarily the development of appropriate values of farmers engaged in crops such as corn, rice, vegetables, and livestock in a corn-based production system to adopt scientific and sustainable methods of farming. It is basically aimed to improve farmers’ income and quality of life beyond poverty level.
Together with the University of the Philippines – Los Banos (UPLB) and the LGU-Pinabacdao, the ATI RTC 8 conducted the Refresher Course on Farmer-Scientists Training Program for 20 farmers. The training aimed to create a core of Farmer Scientist Trainer that will conduct the FSTP Phase 3.
Pinabacdao, Samar - During the training, the farmer-participants demonstrated their communication strategies, prepared instructional materials, discussed topics on corn-based production system and other special topics, and prepared their re-entry plan for the FSTP Phase 3 implementation.
The participants chose topics that they will discuss in the implementation of Phase 3. They were mentored and coached by UPLB staff on the topic and they were also assisted in the preparation of their lecture materials. All participants delivered their topic during the Micro-teaching session in which they received feedback from their trainers. The technology on Trichoderma was presented. It will be included as one of the experimental trials in the built-in FSTP Phase 1.
For the implementation of the Phase 3, it was agreed that the two (2) built-in FSTP Phase 1 sites will be at Brgy. Parasanon and Brgy. Laygayon. The participants were grouped into two with ten (10) farmer-scientist teachers. The ground-working will start in February 2023 and launching activities will be in March 2023.
Mr. Felix Ocenar, a participant, shared, “I am thankful to UPLB, ATI, and LGU for all the training they have conducted in our area. I hope these training sessions will continue for me to gain additional knowledge on crop production. I encourage everyone to apply what we have learned from them.”
Ms. Zenaida Sablan was thankful as she said, “ We thanked our UPLB and ATI who came a long way just to teach us new technologies. If it were not for you, especially the MAO, we would not be here. We learned a lot from you and with these we are very thankful.”
The participants received soil test kit and vegetable seeds from UPLB and promotional shirt and FSTP Phase 3 Manual from ATI-RTC 8 to be used in the implementation of FSTP Phase 3.
The training was conducted in Brgy. Laygayon, Pinabacdao, Samar on June 14-16, 2022.
