Butuan City – Pushing forward in supporting farms in the Caraga region, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to validate farms that applied for Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) certification on July 29 - 30, 2020.

The team headed by Heracleo A. Paler - Acting Asst. Center Director, together with Matt Andrew G. Baquiano - Agriculturist II, and ATI-RTC XIII point persons, evaluated three farms and were assisted by agricultural technologists from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO).

First on the list was the rice-based farm owned by Jay V. Amante at Brgy. Homilog, RTRomualdez, Agusan del Norte. Amante also raises African hito and vegetables.

Next is the 0.75 hectares integrated diversified farm of Mr. Eddie R. Asoy located at Purok 1, Brgy. Anahaw, Alegria, Surigao del Norte. The farm is named “Anahaw Garden” and is planted with banana, jackfruit, papaya, pineapple, and other fruits and vegetables.

A farm in Brgy. Gamutan, Alegria, Surigao del Norte was also visited by the members of the RTWG. It is a 0.5-hectare land owned by Mr. Virgilio Amoncio and is planted with corn, cassava, lemon, and vegetables. Amoncio also raises swine and sells lemon cuttings.

If passed and certified as LSA, these farms will be model sites and will serve as demonstration areas for hands-on learning.