There`s a lot of talk about some smallholder farmers making it big in the agricultural world today. Perhaps, they are motivated to learn more about new technologies to feed their families and send their children to schools.
Hence, the Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (HARRDEC) in partnership with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) developed a book that presents the best practices of farmer scientists or Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Dubbed as “Compendium of Magsasaka Siyentista Best Practices”, the book features the technologies and methods that helped them succeed in their endeavors. Likewise, it popularizes their works so other farmers and agriculture enthusiasts could replicate.
According to HARRDEC, this compendium aims to provide the farmers and producers with options for improved production of various products specifically, coffee, rice, snap beans, lettuce, tomato, sweet potato and taro.
MS are outstanding farmers linked with the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers of various municipalities in the country. They serve as resource persons in trainings, provide technical assistance to other farmers in their community and showcase technology demonstrations in their respective farms.
The compendium of MS best practices is available at the Agriculture and Fisheries Knowledge Center (AFKC) of the Agricultural Training Institute Central Office (ATI-CO). This material is useful to farmers and agricultural extension workers and walk-in beneficiaries of the Institute.