The growing support towards rice farmers continue in Bohol and Negros Oriental. In view of intensifying local farmer technicians (LFTs) knowledge and skills on how to use rice machineries, two batches of training for Rice Crop Establishment using Mechanical Transplanter were conducted in Bohol and Negros Oriental on 12 – 16 April 2021 and 19 - 23 April 2021, respectively. A total of 40 LFTs successfully completed the 5-day training: 20 in Bohol and 20 in Negros Oriental.

In detail, participants were taught on: how to prepare their rice fields suitable for mechanical transplanter; seedling preparation for mechanized rice transplanting; and the operation and maintenance of the mechanical rice transplanter.

The training indirectly supports the Mechanization Program component of Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). RCEF program seeks to ensure food security and to make the country’s agriculture sector viable, efficient and globally competitive.

RCEF Learnings Sites of the Agricultural Training Institute in Central Visayas were utilized as venue and demonstration site for the training: Labonite Family Farm in San Isidro, Pilar, Bohol and Cagri, Complex-Learning Farm in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

The training was facilitated by Jonathan O. Sumagang, Project Officer, and assisted by Angelie B. Mencede as a member of the training management team. The training in Bohol was made possible in collaboration with DA-RFO 7 through Mr. Rico Rommel Varquez, Bohol Island State University through Dr. Severino Salera, and Learning Site Cooperator Jose Labonite, Sr. who served as resource persons. The training in Negros Oriental was made possible through the collaboration and support from the City Agriculture’s Office of Bayawan, Negros Oriental. Experts from the Agri Engineering Division and City Agriculture Office of Bayawan City served as resource persons. Identification of training participants was facilitated by DA-RFO 7 through Rosario C. Villabito, the regional LFT focal person.

“This is my first time attending this kind of training. It made me realize how important rice crop establishment is, using mechanical transplanters. The knowledge that I got here will serve as my tool in enhancing my skill in other learning areas. Lastly, I would like to encourage everyone to share the knowledge and skills we learned here with our co-farmers in our respective municipalities and barangays,” said Marivic Pardillo, one of the training participants.