DILIMAN, Quezon City — The Agricultural Training Institute- Central Office (ATI-CO) staff from different divisions and operating units attended the Seminar on Rural Women held at the Rural Development Educational Center (RDEC), Diliman, Quezon City, on March 17, 2026.
The seminar entitled “The Contribution of Rural Women for Agricultural Development: Sow What? Why Women Are the Real Force and Leaders Behind was conducted as a part of the celebration of National Women’s Month and the International Year of the Women Farmer.
The activity featured two distinguished resource persons, including Ms. Emma V. Tolentino, owner of the EMVT Farm and Learning Site, and Ms. Desiree B. Duran, Farm Owner/President of the Duran Farm Agribusiness and Training Center Association Inc., to share their experience and expertise.
During their presentation, the speakers emphasized that while men may traditionally be the "face" of farming, women have been the backbone and brains behind it. They stressed the role of women in agriculture, shifting from invisible labor to indispensable leadership in the Philippines and across the globe.
Resource persons pointed out that a farm is more than just land and equipment—it is a living system that requires nurturing, foresight, and resilience.
They added that “For too long, the 'force' behind the farm has worked in the shadows.” With this seminar, we recognize that when women lead, food security strengthens, cooperatives flourish, and innovation takes root.
Moreover, the seminar concluded with a formal awarding of certificates of appreciation to the resource person in recognition of their contribution to the discourse on rural development.
Written by: Joshua Ace J. Marcos
