LOS ANGELES, Butuan City – Moving forward for a harmonized and effective implementation of Rice Crop Manager (RCM) deployment for this year 2021, 25 individuals who are directly involved in RCM activities convened on January 20-21, 2021.

These participants were composed of staff from selected Enhanced Farmers Information Technology Services (FITS) Centers and staff from the Information Services Section (ISS) of Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII.

Fil Victor A. Babanto, ISS Chief, reminded the participants of the importance of coming up with effective strategies to promote the advantages of following the RCM fertilizer recommendation of farmers in their fields. This is also to strengthen the campaign for RCM amidst the Covid-19 pandemic situation.

FITS staff were able to share their best practices and problems met during the implementation phase. Issues were reflected in their action plans.

Some factors resulting to the low number of RCM recommendations generated listed were limitations on travel movements imposed by the Local Government Unit (LGU) due to pandemic, farmers were hesitant to go out of their homes, and low internet connectivity.

The activity was highlighted by the giving of Huawei 7i Android phone as an award to five outstanding FITS Centers who performed well in RCM fertilizer generation and met their targets in 2020 despite the Covid-19 pandemic. They were FITS – San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, FITS – Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, FITS – Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, FITS – San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, and FITS – Butuan City.

Assessment and plans for the next steps were also discussed by the group.

The group also visited the farm of Victor Neal Palarca and gained new insights towards farming and engaging in business during the second day.