To help the Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA), School for Practical Agriculture (SPA), and Extension Service Providers (ESP) cooperators to implement the modified season-long farmers’ field school on high-quality inbred rice and seed production and mechanization in their respective localities, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MiMaRoPa conducted an intensive “Training of Trainers on Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds, and Farm Mechanization at Dosfourdos Farm, Brgy. Ramon Magsaysay, Aborlan, Palawan on March 14-25, 2022.
The 12-day training employed lectures and hands-on activities on the actual operation of selected farm machinery given by the Resource Speakers from the ATI, Bureau of Plant Industry, and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization.
The participants took part in the actual field operation of a 4-wheel tractor with an attachment rotavator and harrow, hand-tractor, rice combine harvester, and mechanical rice transplanter. Then, they also learned the Minus One-Element Technique and experienced hands-on activities on Agroecosystem Analysis.
As part of their Micro-teaching, each participant gave a 10-minute presentation on topics assigned to them, accepting the challenge to provide effective presentations to their future farmer participants. Lastly, they crafted their action plan for their respective municipalities and farms.
Present during the activity was Center Director Part Andrew B. Barrientos. In his message, he emphasized the four components of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program and also highlighted the additional funding for local government units as a result of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling, the PAFES, and Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund.
“First time ko lang makaattend na napakahabang pagsasanay. Marami po akong natutunan sa pagsasaka at nalaman ko ang mga Key Checks 1-9 at nagkaroon ako ng experienced kung panko gamitin ang mga bagong makinarya sa pagpapalayan. Ang bawat natutunan ko po ay aking ibabahagi rin sa mga kapwa ko magsasaka upang makapagbigay ng magandang produksyon sa pagpapalayan at magkaroon ng mataas na kita”, Noel M. Callorina shared.
A total of 32 LS, SPA, and ESP cooperators attended the said training.