The ATI-RTC-CAR in partnership with DAR-CAR signed a MOA to help the Tuba Farmers Cooperative (TAFARMCO) relative to their application and be certified as Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) last August 6, 2024.
Before the signing of the MOA, both parties attended the TAFARMCO Farm Business School Graduation Program held at Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet through the initiatives of the Department of Agrarian Reform.
Accordingly, the Training for TAFARMCO Members was a pilot Farm Business School for the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), adapting the enhanced FBS Curriculum, recently developed by their Technical Working Group. As a pilot project, they aimed to be rolled out to other regions. The training started last November 2023 and ended this July 2024, participated by 31 farmer members and supported by MLGU Tuba, ATI-RTC-CAR, DOT, and PIEP. ATI supported the training through the provision of technical support, serving as Resource Persons on Climate Change, Food Safety, GAP on Vegetables, and edible landscaping. One of the next steps of the cooperative is to be certified as LSA which is one of the extension modality program of ATI.Β
Due to heavy rain during the event, the ATI team did not push through with the field validation. The BOD and the Farm Manager requested to reschedule the activity, as they wanted ATI to inspect the area and provide recommendations on practices and strategies to enhance the farm, making it a suitable learning site for agriculture.//with reports from Dr. Cristine B. Esnara, PAS Section Chief
