Bohol - On March 21 to April 1, 2022, a Training of Trainers on Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice, Seed Certification, and Farm Mechanization was conducted in Labonite Family Farm, San Isidro, Pilar, Bohol. Thirty-five (35) farmers, RCEF Learning site/farm school (LS/FS) staff and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) participants from Alicia, Bien Unido, Bilar, Calape, Candijay, Carmen, Danao, Guindulman, Pilar, San Miguel, Tagbilaran City, Trinidad and Ubay in the province of Bohol; and Lazi and Maria in the province of Siquijor.

The training aims for the participants to be able to assist the implementation of the modified season-long Farmer Field School on the Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice Seeds under the RCEF program. In the course of the twelve-day extensive training, participants learned about the sense of mission to help the farmers become competitive through RCEF; how to explain the concepts and principles of the PalayCheck System specifically on the production of high-quality inbred rice seeds; learn how to improve training management skills and knowledge on basic financial management.

A special session about Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives in Agriculture - Decision Support Tools (AMIA-DST) in farming activities was also introduced to the farmers. Here, they learned about the different weather information products that they could use in the farming system.

Angelie B. Mencede, Arnel S. Navarro, Joemelyn A. Sumagang, Jonathan O. Sumagang, Jorge F. Trinidad, Ma. Gracia Soliva-Pungay, Ma. Pamela R. Macaambac, Maryjane Flor S. Patulilic, and Merigine C. Otara from ATI RTC 7; Marcheta C. Brina of BPI-NSQCS in Ubay, Bohol; Rico Rommel A. Varquez, of Department of Agriculture- Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center; Severino B. Salera, Jr. of Bohol Island State University in Bohol; Christian Owen Vallejos of Philippine Crop Insurance; and Jose G. Labonite, and Marina A. Labonite of Labonite Family Farm in Pilar, Bohol shared their expertise on the topics discussed as resource persons.

“Daghan jud kog nakat-unan sa mga topic nga gi-discuss ilabina ang Palay Keycheck. Dako jud ni kaayo ug mahatag nga tabang kanako. Kay ako dili pajud expert mahitungod sa pagpanguma kay medyo bag-o paman ko ni hands-on sa umahan. Karun sa akong nakat-unan, maka-ingun na tali kos ako kaugalingon nga mamaajo na naho or mapa-improve na nako ang akong pag panguma,” said Christin A. Cambangay, a farmer - 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.