Two (2) batches of the Training of Trainers on Digital Agriculture Course for RCEF were successfully conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I) through the Information Services Section (ISS) on October 19-21, 2021 and October 25-27, 2021 via Zoom. A total of 47 farmer representatives from various accredited Learning Sites and Farm Schools in the region participated in the said training.

TOT on DAC for RCEF aimed to capacitate and prepare Farm School representatives to implement a digital literacy training for farmers in their respective areas. Hence, the participants learned about Smartphone, How to Access Internet, Social Media Marketing, e-Commerce, Internet Safety Basics, Online transactions, Basic Agri-ICT Tools, and Advanced Agri apps such as climate and weather monitoring app, Rice Crop Manager, AgriDOC app, Binhing Palay, Rice Doctor, and Pinoy Rice Knowledge Bank. Moreover, participants were able to develop an action plan, and discussed the course modules through their microteaching session. As an addition to their outputs, they created their own graphic design as their entries to the Photo Testimony Contest uploaded at ATI Ilocos Region Facebook Page.

“I am very grateful to be part of this training for I have learned a lot regarding Cell phone history, opening apps like binhing palay, E-damuhan etc, internet safety and everything that can help our farmer in practicing this high tech knowledge. This training is very helpful for us to share it to our farmers since we are in pandemic situation.” said ma’am Aurora Jalocon from Graystone Integrated Farm, San Jacinto, Pangasinan.

In accordance with the Local Government Code (RA 7160) and the Supreme Court decision on the Mandanas Doctrine, the training of farmers and provision of direct extensions services shall be conducted by the LGUs. With this, a training of trainers (TOT) will be conducted to prepare farm schools to take on the role as digital agriculture regional trainers.