QUEZON CITY โ The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), through the Partnership and Accreditation Division (PAD), conducted a webinar on August 13, 2026, focused on diversified corn production and multi-cropping strategies for resilience and improved farm productivity. Some 1,000 online participants, composed of agricultural extension workers, farmers, food processors, researchers, and urban agriculture advocates from the various regions attended the webinar.
Entitled โDiversifying Corn-Based Farming: Multi-cropping Strategies for Resilience and Productivity,โ resource person Van Eric G. Morillo, Project Assistant III of the Department of Agricultureโs (DA) National Corn Program, discussed the risks associated with monocropping and how integrating other crops into corn production can help address these challenges. Participants were introduced to various multi-cropping approaches, including intercropping, relay cropping, strip cropping, sequential cropping, double and triple cropping, and ratoon cropping.
The discussion highlighted how crop diversification can maximize the use of available farmland, provide additional sources of income, improve soil health, and reduce production risks. Participants also gained insights into selecting appropriate crop combinations and applying suitable farm management practices based on available resources and local conditions.
The webinar further emphasized the importance of agronomic knowledge, appropriate farm technologies, market considerations, and risk mitigation in adopting diversified corn-based farming systems. These considerations can help farmers plan production activities while responding to changing environmental and market conditions.
Participants found the discussion informative and practical, particularly its potential to help farmers make better use of their available land, improve farm productivity, and reduce dependence on a single crop. The session also generated interest in applying crop diversification practices that can contribute to more sustainable farming systems.
The webinar is part of the Instituteโs commitment to the DAโs thrusts and priorities for the National Corn Program.ย
