Cebu – On top of capacitating agricultural extension workers, farmer leaders can do agricultural extension activities which provide agricultural information and technology to other farmers through their associations too. Hence, it is important to capacitate them with agricultural technology including the development and implementation of effective rice pest management strategies.

On 7 – 9 September 2021, a Capability Enhancement Course on Rice Pest and Diseases Management Training was conducted for farmer leaders. The training was held in Ranch Resort Inc., Bato, Toledo City, Cebu.

Twenty (20) farmer leaders from the different barangays of Awihao, Bato, Bunga, Canlumapao, Matab-ang, Sto. Nino, Subayon, and Talavera of Toledo City, Cebu participated in the three-day training. The identification of these farmer-leaders was coursed through the municipal agriculture’s office.

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 Arnel S. Navarro from ATI RTC 7, Joseph E. Dela Cerna from Office of the Provincial Agriculture in Cebu, and Junel E. Calunsag from the City Agriculture’s Office in Toledo City.

The training was facilitated by Mr. Jonathan O. Sumagang, and Arnel Navarro from ATI-RTC 7, in collaboration with the Office of Provincial Agriculture in Cebu and City Agriculture’s Office in Toledo City.

“I am thankful to the ATI RTC 7 for the opportunity to join this training. I have learned a lot during the three-day training including the identification of pests both its benefits and dangers. I also learned the proper way of fertilizer application and how to properly select quality seeds. I will apply all of these learnings in my farm and would look forward to a bountiful harvest,” said Jane P. Hello, farmer leader of LGU Toledo City, Cebu - 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.