Striving to make history as the first group in the region to earn Philippine Good Agricultural Practice (PhilGAP) certification for rice, the Namillangan-Calupaan Lateral Farmer Irrigators Association (NCLFIA) Incorporated in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao has successfully completed the Strengthening Rice Farming: Training on Philippine Good Agricultural Practices on Rice.
The training, conducted in partnership with DA-PhilRice-Isabela and DA-RFO-CAR, took place on March 18-20, 2025, at Namillangan, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao.
During the three-day training, modules on the Code of Good Agricultural Practices for rice and organizational building were discussed. These sessions equipped the participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure that rice produced meets high standards of quality, safety, and environmental sustainability. Also, the training strengthened the organization’s vision, enabling members to attain their goals and develop strategies for accessing better markets and resources.
The training's key highlights included an immersive field exposure, where participants assessed a rice farm and provided recommendations to align with the Code of Good Agricultural Practices. Additionally, they developed structured procedures for the certification application, a crucial component of their Internal Control System (ICS) required for group certification.
During the closing activity, Mr. Joy Bartolome A. Duldulao, Branch Director of DA-PhilRice Isabela, encouraged the completers to apply the knowledge and skills they had gained to enhance their farming practices and ensure compliance with Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) for rice standards. He emphasized the importance of sustaining momentum by implementing the Internal Control System (ICS) effectively and working collectively toward obtaining group certification. He reassured them of the agency’s support in their certification journey, providing technical assistance, monitoring, and guidance as they take the next steps in the process.
If these farmers successfully obtain group certification for GAP for rice, it will be a major milestone for both the local farming community and the agricultural sector. Their achievement will not only demonstrate their commitment to international quality standards but also position them as pioneers of agricultural innovation and sustainability.
