In line with the continued implementation of extension activities of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Rice Extension Services Program (RESP), the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 1 (ATI-RTC 1) conducted the first batch of Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds, and Farm Mechanization on March 21, 2022 to April 1, 2022 at ATI-RTC 1 Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. It aimed to equip participants with knowledge and skills in implementing a non-gender biased and gender sensitive Season-long Farmer Field School on the Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seed Certification, and Farm Mechanization in their municipality.
A total of 30 farmer participants from various municipalities in La Union and Pangasinan have completed the 12-day training. They were able to learn about the Republic Act 11203 and its program components, the concepts and principles of the PalayCheck System, proper identification of different pest and diseases and its control measures, the identification of NSIC varieties and its characteristics, and the effects of climate change and its mitigating measures in rice production. In addition to this, they also learned the basics in financial management. Hands on activities through their actual demonstration of different rice farm machineries were also experienced by the participants.
“From this training, I learned a lot about palay and it’s palay check numbers. Learning all palay management gives me additional and relevant educational enhancement and basic training.” Ms. Helen S. Aqui, from TESDA-Pangasinan Technical School, in Binmaley, Pangasinan, shared on her learnings during the training.
Part of the participant’s requirement to complete the training is their presentation through the microteaching session and were able to develop their action plan purposedly to be implemented in their respective farm.
Being true to its commitment in enhancing the capability of rice farmers, ATI-RTC 1 still has to conduct four (4) more batches of the ToT on the Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds, and Farm Mechanization this year.
