LOS BAÑOS,LAGUNA- Twenty-six (26) Rice Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs) of Calabarzon participated in the “Training Course on System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Product Stewardship for LFTs Batch 1” held at City of Springs, Los Baños, Laguna last April 1 to 5, 2019. The training course aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of LFTs and acquaint them with updates on rice technology, System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and safe and responsible use of crop protection products. It was spearheaded by the Partnership and Accreditation Services Section (PASS) of Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Region IV-A.

During the five-day refresher course, various topics on rice technology and DA rice program updates were presented. Topics were composed of Philippine and Regional Rice Industry Situation, DA Program Updates, the Rice Tariffication, Updates on PhilRice Program, Participants were also provided the necessary knowledge on System of Rice Intensification, climate change and ICT based tools updates.

The participants were also able to learn topics on Product Stewardship through the project entitled “Better Rice Initiative Asia – Fostering Agriculture and Rice Marketing by improved Education and Rural Advisory Services (BRIA-FARMERS)’. It is a project which is aligned with the Food and Staples Sufficiency Program (FFSP) of the Department of Agriculture, and one of the extension approaches that emerged from the BRIA-FARMERS Project is the Product Stewardship Module. It is designed to introduce the safe and responsible use of crop protection products. Through this, it aims in minimizing the health, safety, environmental, and social impacts of a product and its packaging throughout the plan, while also maximizing economic benefits.

Content: Mary Grace P. Leidia