INITAO, Misamis Oriental – A Total of 112 participants were conferred as graduates during the joint graduation the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Corn Production and Farmer Field School (FFS) on September 20, 2017 at S&G Tellights Overview, Initao, Misamis Oriental. The graduates, 18 from TOT and 94 from FFS were composed of LGU personnel and farmers from all over Region 10. These graduates are expected to boost the corn industry in the region
The event was graced by the Vice Mayor of Initao, Hon. Cory Z. Sayre; Acting Provincial Agriculturist of Misamis Oriental, Dr. Benjamin S. Resma; Provincial Board Member, Hon. Gerardo “Boboy” Sabal; and Training Center Superintendent II of ATI-RTC X, Dr. Angelito Y. Quirog.
Because of the enthusiastic response of the participants and their apparent love for agriculture, Dr. Quirog approved for a Farm visit of the FFS participants to Lala, Lanao del Norte to visit accredited Learning Sites. The announcement earned a loud applause from the participants.
But just as the smiles of the participants widened, the program took on an emotional turn when their class valedictorian, Ms. Nezel G. Martinez – an Agricultural Technologist from LGU Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, gave her Valedictory Address. She said, “I always doubt myself because I know kulang pa gyud akong kahibalo even though graduate ko sa agriculture. Akong natun-an sa college puno og theories, gamay ray application. Diri nga training, nadevelop akong self-confidence, niluag akong paglantaw sa agrikultura ug nawala ang gap nako sa mga mag-uuma. Ang pinakadako nga medal sa ato nga extension worker is to help our farmers. Tabangan nato atong pinalanggang mag-uuma.” (I always doubt myself because I know I lacked knowledge even I am an Agriculture graduate. All I learned in College are theories with very few application. In this training, I developed my self confidence. My perspective of agriculture has widened and the gap with farmers has been totally gone. The biggest medal for us extension workers is to be able to help our farmers. Let us help our beloved farmers.)
Several participants cried with their valedictorian and vowed to apply what they have learned in their own farmlands. Because just as what Dr. Resma said during his speech, the things that the participants learned during their training is something that live on for the rest of their lives.
The TOT has two phases. Phase one is an intensive 12-day Theoretical Training while Phase 2 is the application in the farm. The first phase of the TOT ran from April 24, 2017 until May 5, 2017 and its second phase, which is three times per week ran from May 10, 2017 until September 22, 2017. This is simultaneous to the FFS since the TOT participants will serve as the facilitators of the FFS. The trainings are conducted by Mr. Noriel Kris O. Santillan, Training Specialist II of ATI-RTC X.