The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center - Cordillera Administrative Region (ATI-RTC-CAR), and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) monitored the three (3) ongoing Farmer-Scientist Training Program in a Corn-based Farming System (FSTP) Phase I in the Cordillera. The season-long activity is being implemented in Asipulo and Mayoyao, Ifugao and in Sta. Marcela, Apayao.
During the monitoring, Bernard B. Panabang, UPLB University Research Associate II, provided inputs and recommendations from the assessment. He discussed corn plant breeding, pollination and detasseling procedures with hands-on demonstration. In application, participants did a return demo. He also responded to questions raised by the corn farmer participants. Finalization and submission of documents related to the program were also discussed.
The FSTP sites are in different stages, facing various difficulties such as drought, lodging, low germination rate, and pest infestations that draw setbacks to the program’s implementation. Despite these, corn in the demo sites are thriving and through proper farm management and experimental guidelines, the FSTP Phase I is expected to be completed in the succeeding months.
Meanwhile, LGU Mayoyao FSTP Facilitator Megan P. Monchiguing shared that the farmers were able to see the value of continuous learning during the course of the program and are now actively involved. This is seen in their involvement and interest during the sessions and field activities, Monchiguing added.
Also present during the field monitoring were UPLB Researchers Byron Amadeus G. Cayabyab, Bernard B. Panabang, ATI-RTC-CAR Corn Focal Person Vicky May Guinayen, with Rosiana L. Paduyao, and Aldrin P. Sagao, respective FSTP facilitators of the 3 municipalities and farmer participants. The presence of concerned personnel of the different offices showcases the Center and its partner agencies’ strong collaboration in delivering interventions beneficial to CAR farmers.//Vicky May L. Guinayen and Aldrin P. Sagao
