Bohol – It has been said that farm mechanization decreases the amount of time and level of effort required to finish a particular farm activity. Mechanization has proven to increase agricultural output, increasing food production, reducing production costs, minimizing losses, and preserving the quality of agricultural products.

On May 17 – 19, 2022, a Capability Enhancement Course on Rice Crop Establishment using Mechanical Rice Transplanter was conducted in Labonite Family Farm, San Isidro, Pilar, Bohol. This is the first batch of the said training; with another batch to be conducted in other provinces within the region. Thirty-two (32) farmers and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) from the municipalities of Alicia, Bien Unido, Candijay, Carmen, Dagohoy, Duero, Guindulman, Mabini, Pilar, Sagbayan, San Miguel, Trinidad, and Ubay from Bohol province successfully completed the said three-day training.

The training aims to equip the participants with the knowledge and skills on rice crop establishment using the mechanical rice transplanter. In the course of the three-day training, participants learned about the rice field preparation for mechanical transplanting; seedling preparation for mechanized rice transplanting; and operation and maintenance of the mechanical rice transplanter.

Jose G. Labonite from Labonite Family Farm, San Isidro, Pilar, Bohol; and Engr. Severino B. Salera, Jr. from Bohol Island State University, Bilar, Bohol shared their expertise on the topics discussed as resource persons while Angelie M. Bitas served as member of the training management team.

“Kining maong training daghan ko ug nakat-unan kabahin sa pag-operate sa mechanical transplanter nga diin produktibo ug mo minus ang among gasto sa pag-uma. Sa mga facilitators maaabi-abihon, mapahiyumon sa mga participante niining enhancement course. Sa resource person wa gyud magduha duha sa pagtudlo ug pagpaambit sa ilang kaalam kanamong mag-uuma. Sa akong co-participant maabi-abihon, mapahiyumon ug mahigalaon sa mga ka participante. Sa training venue and accommodation, hamugaway ug nindot kaayo ang venue nga gipahigayunan niining enhancement course. Dako kaayo nakong pasalamat sa mga facilitators, resource person ug ang tag-iya niining venue, sir Joe Labonite. Daghan kaayong salamat,” said Nemesio Anay from Carmen, Bohol – one of the training participants.

Should there be any clarifications or inquiries around this training, you may contact Jonathan O. Sumagang, Project Officer, through his email at jsumagang16@gmail.com.