LOS BAÑOS, Laguna - To equip and capacitate the Agricultural Extension Workers of Region IV-A on the latest updates on rice technology, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Region IV-A spearheaded the "Refresher Course on Rice Technology Updates and Product Stewardship Training for AEWs." The training was participated by 29 AEWs under Rice program last May 21 to 25, 2018. It was headed by the Partnership and Accreditation Services Section (PASS) of ATI IV-A. Ms. Mary Grace P. Leidia, Agriculturist II, acted as Project Officer together with Ms. Sherylou C. Alfaro, Mr. Ric Jason T. Arreza, and Ms. Angela S. Amoloza who served as Training Management Staff. The training program aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of rice agricultural extension workers and acquaint them with updates on rice technology and on safe and responsible use of crop protection products.
The AEWs attended a five-day refresher course on various topics on rice technology and DA Rice Program updates. The topics included, Philippine and Regional Rice Industry Situation, Department of Agriculture Road Map 2017-2022, Updates on Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Programs, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Philippine National Standard (PNS) on GAP on Rice. The participants were also provided with the necessary knowledge on ATI extension modalities, rice and climate change, ICT based tools and Rice pests’ 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. 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 to be able to minimize the health, safety, environmental, and social impacts of a product and its packaging while also maximizing economic benefits.
Content: Mary Grace P. Leidia