The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center Cordillera Administrative Region (ATI-RTC-CAR), in collaboration with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bangued through the Municipal Agriculture Office, successfully held a three-day training on “Enhancing Rice Farmers’ Productivity: Training on Rice-Based Integrated Farming System” for 31 farmers in the locality on June 10-12, 2025, in Bangued, Abra.
This training focused on integrated rice-poultry-vegetable farming system for local farmers to implement in their farming practices. Key topics included the palaycheck system, agroecosystem analysis (AESA), backyard poultry production, vegetable production, and ICT services on rice production. Participants were also introduced to user-friendly ICT tools designed to optimize fertilization, monitor pest , and support informed production decisions.
This approach helps farmers achieve higher yields, improve crop quality, and reduce input costs through evidence-based practices. The training also emphasized the importance of integrating other agricultural components such as vegetable gardening and poultry raising. These complementary activities not only maximize land use but also contribute to farmers’ income diversification and nutrition. The training also highlighted the role of modern technology in agriculture, introducing ICT-based tools for fertilizer management, pest management, and crop decision-making to further enhance productivity and resilience against climate challenges.
"We have learned a lot from this training that will help improve our farming system and make it more successful. The lessons we got from PalayCheck gave us a clear guide on what to do in every step of rice farming—from land preparation, seed selection, proper planting, up to harvesting. The secret to a successful farm is not just hard work, but also applying what we learned. If we follow the right practices shared with us in this training, we can expect better yield, lower costs, and healthier crops. These practices are proven and tested, and now it’s up to us to use them properly in our own farms." Ms. Evina Parrocha during the sharing of impression and insights.
This training initiative strengthens the government's commitment to capacitate farmers in Abra with holistic and sustainable approaches in rice production and rural livelihood development.// Allen D. Olat, Technical Support Staff, CDMS
