Negros Oriental - Rice is the number one staple food in the country. To help meet the gigantic domestic demand for rice, there is a need to help farmers improve their yield. According to IRRI, farmers lose an estimated average of 37% of their rice crop to pests and diseases every year. In addition to good crop management, timely and accurate diagnosis can significantly reduce losses.

On 5 – 9 July 2021, a blended training on Capability Enhancement Course on Rice Pest and Diseases Management was conducted. All participants were from Negros Oriental. Participants were gathered at the Stella Maris Retreat House, Bacong, Negros Oriental while resource persons presented their topics online, through the Google Meet platform. Hands-on Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA) was conducted through face to face with the aid of the resource person and TMT thru online. The training aims to improve the technical competencies and skills in the identification and management of rice pests and diseases.

Twenty agricultural extension workers from the different local government units of Amlan, Bacong, Bais, Bayawan City, Canlaon, Guihulngan, Mabinay, Pamplona, Tanjay Valencia, and Zamboanguita, and from the Provincial Agricultural office in the province of Negros Oriental participated in the five-day training.

During the course of the training, participants learned how to identify major rice pests and diseases and the different prevention and control methods, how to perform the agro ecosystem analysis (a thorough analysis of the agricultural environment), and discuss the principles and concepts of updated PalayCheck System (a rice crop management system that presents the best key technology and management practices as Key Checks).

People who have shared their expertise include Ms. Cecile A. Opada, DA-RFO 7 Rice Program Coordinator and Mr. Crispin Cuyno, a graduate of Rice Specialists Training Course from DA-RFO 7; Dr. Marina Labonite, retired BISU professor & a Learning Site Cooperator; Mr. Arnel S. Navarro, Pamela Macaambac a graduate of Rice Specialists Training Course and Jonathan O. Sumagang , rice point person from ATI RTC 7.

The training was facilitated by Mr. Jonathan O. Sumagang, Ryan Joshua Villena, and Angelie B. Mencede from ATI-RTC 7, in collaboration with LGU Bacong, Negros Oriental headed by Mr. Merjon Y. Cordova, the municipal agriculturist.

“On top of what I've learned from school way back, this training has further enhanced my knowledge on different ways of controlling and preventing pests and diseases infestation of rice. I would like to challenge my co-participants to effectively share all our learning to our colleagues and especially to farmers we are assisting,” said Miya Morales – 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.