MATABAO, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte - As part of its commitment to the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of Agusan del Norte, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 undertook the seamless conduct of the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Organic Agriculture Production Leading to Organic Agriculture NC II for Community Agricultural Partners (CAPs) which took place at the Social Hall of the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries from August 24 to 28, 2020.

In Agusan del Norte, the PRLEC intervention is named People Empowerment in Agriculture for Community-based Enterprise (P.E.A.C.E.) which includes the provision of training activities through ATI, competency assessment from TESDA, and other support services from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and other national agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs).

During his brief message at the opening rites last August 24, 2020, ATI-Caraga Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo, called for the active participation of participants who were personnel from the AFP and PNP plus former rebels, lumads and Persons Who Uses Drugs (PWUDs).

In total, thirty-five participants registered in the said training. According to TESDA Provincial Director Ashary Banto during an interview, the training will be a two-day TESDA assessment for the NC II. Then the participants are required to establish demonstration farms in barangays of Agusan del Norte that are identified as disadvantaged and conflict-prone areas.

Calonzo further explained that through the collaborative efforts between and among stakeholders and partner agencies, agri-based livelihood and employment will be generated and thereby paving the road to inclusive growth and sustainable peace in the province.