MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon--- Efforts toward enhancing technical capability on rice production for farmers affected by the full implementation of the Rice Tarrification Law is now being mobilized by the different bureaus and link agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center X being the lead agency of the DA on extension and education in the region conducted a Training of Trainers on Modernized Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds on October 14-26, 2019 at Veranda, Casisang, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

The 12-day training aims to produce eligible and capable trainers on rice production and become trainers, on a mission to help fellow farmers maximize their potential,and be competitive rice producers in the region.

There were 30 participants of the training composed of Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Development Coordinators and Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations from the different parts of Bukidnon.

The training sharpened and reinforced participants' knowledge on the different concepts and principles of the Palaycheck System specifically on the production of high quality inbred rice seeds.

It also intensifies the sense of mission of farmer leaders in helping fellow rice farmers be competitive individuals amidst the challenges on the rice sufficiency and the rice tarrification law.

After the training, they are expected to conduct a season-long Farmers Field School on Palaycheck System at their respected locality.

“I realized that farming rice is never easy. After this training, I am confident that I am now more than capable of helping my fellow farmers,” said Amado Garcia, one of the farmer participants of the training.

Following the lectures, discussions and workshops, they participated a one day field practicum on seed bed preparation following the key principles of Palaycheck at PhilRice Office-Central Mindanao University (CMU), Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.

As final requirement of the 12-day trainer’s training, the participants presented one chosen topic on rice production which they delivered in front for peer and experts' critiquing during their Micro Teaching Workshop.

ATI allocated 2.4 M as capability building support for rice farmers thru the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.