The prices of commercial fertilizer continuously rise due to the shortage of supply in the market which leads our local farmers to lose their self-confidence in rice farming. To boost their mindset and bring back their interest, there is a need to help the local rice farmers by enhancing and capacitating their farming practices.

As the capacity builder, knowledge bank, and catalyst of the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries extension system, the Agricultural Training Institute –Regional Training Center IX (ATI-RTC IX) conducted a Training on Capability Enhancement for Farmer Leaders on Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) at Manicahan, Zamboanga City, last April 27-29, 2022. The training aimed to enhance their capabilities in rice production technology specifically in INM.

The highlights of the activity were the lecture on Rice Morphology, Nutrient Management, and Diagnostic Support Tools (MOET, LCC, and RCM). In order to achieve the expected production yield, Ms. Sittie Norjanna Pala, Technical Staff of ATI 9 and one of the resource person, emphasized and elaborated on the importance of the right Element, Amount, and Timing (EAT) of application in rice production. She also added the function of the Leaf Color Chart (LCC), how to properly use and read the Leaf Color Index (LCI), and the proper set-up of the Minus One Element Technique (MOET) kit to determine the nutrient deficiency in the soil.

“Sa tatlong araw po namin dito sa Training on Capability Enhancement for Farmer Leader on Integrated Nutrient Management for Rice Production, marami po kami’ng natutunan kung paano e-manage ang aming basakan “bukid” to lessen the expenses and damage during planting time. Kami po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa aming natutunan”. Mr. Edieson N. Pedro, one of the participants, expressed his impression towards the training during the closing program of the activity.
A total of thirty (30) Farmer Leaders from different barangays of Zamboanga City completed the training. It was facilitated by ATI 9 training management team in the person of Ms. Sittie Norjana Pala and Kennmark C. Tiad, both Rice/RCEF Technical staff, and in coordination with the City Agriculture Office.