REGION 10 - To enhance and strengthen the implementation of the program, the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP) team in Caraga conducted a five-day off-site learning activity to select Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs) in Region 10 on February 22-26, 2021.

The said activity was headed by the Agricultural Training Institute- Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 13 Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo, together with the chief of Information Services Section (ISS) Fil Victor A. Babanto, and Career and Development Management Services Section (CDMSS) Chief Violeta T. Laguna. The staff from RCEF-RESP Leah A. Napoco, Rejane M. Ata and John Paul B. Abonitalla also joined the activity.

The team visited first the SAFEGCC Inc- Bread Life Family Farm Entrepreneurial School in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. Marivic Tagupa, the proprietor of the farm shared some of their best practices in the farm. She then presented to the team the organization they created out from the graduates of their previous Farmers’ Field School (FFS) called Women and Youth in Modern Organic Regenerative Ecosystem (WYMORE).

On the second day, the team travelled to Maramag, Bukidnon to visit the farm of Imelda P. Mendoza, owner of Imelda Agricultural Learning Center. Mendoza owned vast lands of rice, coffee, and a lot more.

During lunchtime, they visited Engallado’s Nature Farm and Natural Food Products located at Tongan-tongan in Valencia City. Nick Jay-Arr Engallado, the owner of the farm welcomed the team and discussed their best practices. Engallado’s Farm was established by his late father years ago. Jay-Arr continued his father’s legacy in maintaining the place. They offer food and beverages like tea and more to their visitors.

The team also visited the Luis-Sesay Heritage Farm at Bangcud, Malaybalay City. Wilmar Ompoc shared with the team their humble beginnings. The land was inherited from their parents Luis and Sesay hence the name of the farm. Ompoc embraces the power of hard work as his key to success. He shares this value with his children as his legacy to them.

With an almost 20-minute ride from Luis-Sesay Heritage Farm, the team also visited Anpa’s Farm in Barangay Simaya. Francis and daughter April Malatamban is an example of a mother-and-daughter tandem in farming. Malatamban is a retired Math teacher in Bukidnon National High School (BNHS) who enjoys spending more time in her flower garden making bonsai trees among others. Anpa’s Farm being an ATI- Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) was his late husband’s wish. April does the hands-on activities on the farm, especially during trainings. The farm’s name “Anpa” was derived from their grandchildren’s endearment to their late grandfather, “Let’s go to Anpa’s farm,” she related.

On the fourth day, the team went to Alomah’s Place located at Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Though the farm is not rice-based, the team chose to visit the place to get ideas on how they established the farm into a wellness destination. Benjohn Mahistrado, the owner of Alomah’s Place gave importance to on-farm tourism as a business.

On the last day, the team met Edith Mae Rosales-Tan. Her farm named The Good Life Nature Farm which is located at Tamboboan, Claveria, Misamis Oriental. Tan gave insights into the beauty of involving women in farming. She believed in the importance of organizing women and the value of passion and patience in doing farm-related works.

Aside from the practices and knowledge the team had gained, they found that the life experiences of the farmers were remarkable, inspiring, and worthy of emulation for others who are engaged in agriculture.