Baybay City, Leyte - Farmers are encouraged to produce and use quality rice seeds to help increase economic return on their rice production. In addition, farm mechanization is also seen to achieve efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly rice production.
For a competitive rice industry in Eastern Visayas, ATI RTC 8 continues to implement its rice training programs such as the Training of Trainers on Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds and Farm Mechanization B1.
Participants were oriented on the Philippines Rice Situationer and the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL). They also studied the Palay Check System and the updated 9 Key Checks. The participants did activities on IPM, fertilizer application, AESA, farm record keeping, seed certification, farm business planning, FFS, and financial literacy. In keeping up with the vision for digital agriculture in the country, participants also familiarized themselves with different agriculture digital apps available for use by AEWs and farmers.
The participants finished the TOT thru an individual microteaching session. Each participant chose a topic for the presentation. ATI RTC 8 Center Director Hazel Grace Taganas, Rice Point Person Maria Helen Seco, and Technical Assistant Joannah Quilario served as panelists for the session. Thru this activity, participants showcased their learnings incurred during the TOT.
Mr. Jovy Altar, a trainer of La Granja Farm, expressed his gratitude saying, “As beneficiaries of this program, the government would like us to believe that the government is working for us. We will never forget the training management's dedication and patience, as well as everything they have done for us. I am quite pleased with the service provided by ATI. This type of instruction is something I will never forget. Our learnings will not only stay with us, but we will also share and expand them to farmers who need it the most to achieve our aim of better income with lower production costs.”
Mr. Wilson Nuguit of LGU-Jipapad remarked on how the training was important for him. He said, “This training will serve as a significant obligation to us after it is completed. As I look at myself, I'm only a high school graduate, and I'm concerned that someday my students will be more educated than me, but because of the training I've received, I'll be able to apply what I've learned to be an effective trainer and a good leader with patience and understanding for our fellow farmers in our respective communities. We shall do our best to put what we've learned into practice, with the help of our municipal Agriculture office. I know that I can do it with the help of our office. The modified dapog, seedling preparation, and proper rice planting techniques, as well as farm machinery and the Palay Check System, all contributed to my expertise.”
Participants appreciated learning the proper way to conduct the Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA). They learned systematically how to observe the crop, analyze the field situation, and make proper decisions for their crop management, especially in managing pests and diseases. As most participants were new to operating farm machinery, they enjoyed doing the hands-on exercises on farm mechanization.
Twenty-nine (29) participants composed of agricultural extension workers (AEWs), farmer leaders, and LS cooperators mostly from Eastern Samar participated in the TOT from Feb. 20 – March 3, 2023 at Alde Farm in Babatngon, Leyte.
