The ATI-RTC-CAR, in partnership with PhilRice-Isabela, successfully conducted the "Strengthening Rice Farming: Training on Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) on Rice" last April 22–24, 2025, in La Paz, Abra. The training aimed to encourage participants to adopt and practice PhilGAP quality standards, produce safe and high-quality rice and rice-based products for the market, demonstrate effective leadership, enhance collaboration, and improve market access.
Participants engaged themselves on the discussion of the Code of Good Agricultural Practices for Rice and organizational strengthening. They also had the opportunity to visit and inspect a GAP-certified rice farm in the locality. During the field visit, they observed the implementation of various good agricultural practices, including storage facilities for farm inputs, pest management, post-harvest handling, and record-keeping. They also conducted an in-depth interview with the farm owner, gaining valuable insights into the challenges and successes of maintaining GAP certification.
“Sa training na ito, nadagdagan na naman ang aking kaalaman. Dati, maliit lang ang aming ani, pero sa pagdalo ko sa mga training at sa mga natutunan ko, tumaas ang aking ani. Kaya’t kapag may mga ganitong training, mag-attend tayo para lalo pang madagdagan ang ating kaalaman at mas mapabuti ang ating ani”. Mr. Nelson B. Dolor during the sharing of impression and insights.
The successful completion of this training marks a significant step toward empowering rice farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to implement Philippine Good Agricultural Practices. It also strengthens their capacity to produce safe, high-quality rice, improve farm management, and enhance their access to more competitive markets.//Allen Olat, CDMS Technical Support Staff.
