Siquijor - One way of ensuring sufficient food supply is to equip farmers with appropriate farming technologies. Implementation of ineffective farming technologies is one of the factors that will lead to decreased income and even make farms unproductive. To ensure productivity, AEWs are in need of training on appropriate technologies of which they can pass on to the farmers.

On 26 – 30 July, a Training Course on the Updated Rice Production Technology was conducted in Ocean View Farm and Cottages, Olang, Maria, Siquijor. Twenty (20) agricultural extension workers (AEWs), and local farmer technicians (LFTs) from the municipalities of Enrique Villanueva, Larena, Lazi, Maria, San Juan, and Siquijor, representative from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and PATCO Siquijor have attended the five-day training.

The activity aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of the participants on the updated rice production technologies. During the five-day course, participants were able to learn about rice morphology and growth stages of rice; the use of rice farm machineries; and 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 from DA-RFO 7; Aiza Ann Daligdig, Celso Jumawan, Novelyn Omandam, and Engr. Emigdio P. Coritico from the Office of the Provincial Agriculture in Siquijor; Mary Daphny Tumala from ATI RTC 7; and Lilibeth P. Caroro - a retired provincial agriculturist of Siquijor.

The training was facilitated by Mr. Jonathan O. Sumagang, Mary Daphny Tumala, Charlou Ampit and Angelie B. Mencede from ATI-RTC 7, in collaboration with the OPA Siquijor headed by Engr. Emigdio P. Coritico, the OIC Provincial Agriculturist.

“All my learnings from this training are very useful as a rice program coordinator. All my learnings will be applied when I do rice-field monitoring,” said Fritz Bon A. Atay.

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.