Poblacion, EL SALVADOR CITY--- As the lead agency in agricultural and fisheries extension in the region, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center X (ATI-RTC X) adds to its roster of Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) for knowledge sharing opportunities for farmers, would-be farmers and agri-enthusiasts.

As a rule of thumb, learning sites or farm schools should develop a high degree of competence and credibility. They should have competent and knowledgeable farmer instructors who know what they are teaching, not only from reading books and other sources, but from actual years of hands-on experience.

As its new farm partners, the new seven farms listed below were considered for practicing applicable agricultural technologies, employing doable farming strategies and operating successfully which are worthy of emulation.

The seven new Learning Site (LS) partners of the center are as follows:

1. Monica Duck Raising Farm by Albert C. Ysalina in Zone 5, Sili-sili, Pagatpat, CDO City, Misamis Oriental - The backyard garden with 500 square meters wide has been in operation for three years and a sole proprietorship by Mr. and Mrs. Albert C. Ysalina. The couple are members of the Mindanao Integrated Duck Raisers Association (MIDRA) where Mr. Ysalina is the President. They are also beneficiaries of the government poultry project,” Itik Pinas” with 300 ducks in their backyard garden and the eggs are processed into balut, penoy, and itlog maalat.

2. Iñigo’s Diversified Farm by Veronica I. Lastima in Bukad, San Roque, Sumilao, Bukidnon – The farm started way back in 1973 when the family was exiled from the tribal war in Francfort, Wao, Lanao del Sur. In the same year, they relocated in Sumilao, Bukidnon and started farming as their family’s source of livelihood. The farm engages in inland fish culture (tilapia), corn production, livestock production, assorted fruits and vegetable production. They are practicing an organic way of farming using commercial organic fertilizers. The farm is currently conducting technical and hands-on agricultural training where they trained rural women, 4-H youth, and farmers from their municipality.

3. Kiulab Integrated Skills, Development Center (KISDC) Farm by Jonas S. Sale in Purok 6, Poblacion, Sumilao, Bukidnon – The farm has a total land area of 5 hectares devoted to diversified and integrated crop-livestock production. The farm started in 2012 as a passion fruit contract growing farm. The farm later on engage in vegetable and corn production. In July 2018, it formally started training for the New Zealand student visa applicants. This is in partnership with Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) Musuan and TESDA-Wangan National Agricultural School in Davao City.

4. PLGU Agriculture and Fisheries Demonstration Farm in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte – The area was established intended for demonstration of agriculture and fisheries which is owned and managed by the Provincial Agriculture Office of Lanao del Norte. The demo farm has machineries such as four-wheel tractor, rice seeder, rice transplanter, and hand tractor. They have two established greenhouses for vegetables, vermi beds, nursery and an on-going construction of their dormitories and training center. The farm area has also fish ponds that grow tilapia, an area for goats, vegetables and rice fields. The said demo farm has plans that later on, they can cater to season-long and short term training courses that offer technical and practical farming practices.

5. Farm de Sentre by Agnes Herbito Grieble and Berthold “Bert” Walter Grieble in Sitio Mibala, Tipanoy, Iligan City - For farmers Berthold “Bert” Walter Grieble and wife Agnes, they settled and preferred to do farming here in the country because of the favorable climate condition. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Grieble managed their 11-hectare farm. The farmer couple is into diversified farming and is now planting different varieties of peppers and chilies. They grow coffee under coconuts, ornamentals, vegetables, forages, fruit trees and timber. They are also raising hybrid and native goats, carabao, cows and native free-range chickens. The Griebles are recurring attendees of the training mounted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) region 10 and its partner farm schools.

6. L n M Farms by Michael and Leah Salvaleon in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon – The farm is jointly owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Michaelo and Leah Salvaleon. Since 2010, different crops have been grown in the gently-sloping area consisting of corn, sugarcane, upland rice, and cassava. Crop rotation was observed, although corn was grown predominantly. In areas with poor soil quality, an intercropping with mungbean was practiced. The 10-hectare farm was divided into sections consisting of farm facilities, farmhouse, and crop-livestock production. The hillside, around 1 hectare, was planted with falcata trees for erosion control and napier grass for forage. Multiple cropping, crop rotation, and companion planting are also implemented in the farm.

7. BenCals Farm by Ben B. Calunod in Pangantucan, Bukidnon - The farm owner is a certified cacao planter for almost 4 years. Ben planted 300 hills of cacao in their backyard which are now bearing fruits. He pursues personal research and even attended training and seminars on cacao production. In 2019, his farm became a venue for the Season-long Farmers Field School (FFS) on cacao production conducted by the ATI-RTC 10 in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Pangantucan, Bukidnon. Through personal online research and study, he already produced a home-made product out of his backyard cacao farm, namely: tablea, cacao nibs, cacao Tsa-a (tea), and cacao vinegar. They sell their cacao-based products to their neighbors, balikbayan friends, public markets, and even abroad. He hopes to improve his products and produce high-grade chocolates in the future. They have established a processing facility with modified roasting kalan, grinding machine, and a packaging area of their products. They also have a nursery and all-weather type dryer that is very replicable.

To date, ATI Northern Mindanao has certified 92 learning sites in the region to serve as demonstration areas for the center’s agricultural training programs. (with reports by Cristine A. Galupo, Agriculturist II)