A total of 11 batches of Community-based Training and 16 batches of Technical Briefing on RBIFS was conducted at various municipalities in region 1
STA. BARBARA, PANGASINAN – In line with the PAlayTIMPALAK: The 2021 Search for Top Performing Rice-based Integrated Farming System (RBIFS) Farm in Region 1, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 1 (ATI-RTC 1) in partnership with Provincial Local Government Units (PLGUs), Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs), Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs), and Farmers Association/Organizations conducted 11 batches of Community-based Training and 16 batches of Technical Briefing on RBIFS at various municipalities in region 1.
The trainings and briefings aims to disseminate information to rice farmers on diversified and integrated farming system as one of the strategies to improve household food security. This is also to empower rice farmers with necessary skills and knowledge on RBIFS to gain more income and at the same time ensure affordability and availability of food supply.
A total of 629 rice farmers from the 26 farmers associations in the region attended and completed the said trainings and briefings.
As such, as expressed by Mr. Teodoro L. Amenamen, a farmer and a member of Alos Farmers Association, “Rice-based Integrated Farming is an excellent farming technology. A mixture of different types of plants and a combination of animal and fish farming methods to maximize the usage of every inch of land for better sustainable productions. Furthermore, the economic usage of recycle waste by products of plants is to feed animals and animal manure could organically fertilize the plants and fishpond utilize its water to irrigate the plants. I am being thankful for the government that educates farmers like me”
Likewise, Mr. Freddie G. Gawiden, member of Daking Farmers Irrigators Association of San Gabriel Inc. said that , “Ang natutunan ko po dito sa RBIFS ay kung paano umasenso ang isang farmer sa kanang sakahan kahit maliit lamang ang kanyang sakahan. Napakahalaga po neto sa buhay ng magsasaka kasi dito natutunan ko kung paano ang pamamaraan para sa lalong aasenso ang isang farmer. Nabuksan ang aking isipan dahil sa RBIFS kasi naturuan alo kung paano umasenso ang isang farmer sa kahit anong size ang kanyang sinasaka”
Furthermore, ATI-RTC 1 also provided initial planting materials and farm inputs as extension support kits for the establishment of RBIFS farm of farmers associations, entry to the PAlayTIMPALAK.
PAlayTIMPALAK is an initiative program of ATI-RTC 1 that aims to encourage rice farmers to practice rice-based integrated farming system. PAlayTIMPALAK is a wordplay on Palay (paddy rice) and Timpalak (tagalog for contest) which in essence means contest on rice growing. It seeks to boost palay farming in farming communities.