BAYBAY CITY, Leyte –Similar to most programs, activities related to the Rice Comprehensive Enhancement Fund (RCEF) in the region has been put on hold for the time being. ATI in Eastern Visayas eyes to resume training activities in July 2020.

Recent events have posted changes to adapt to the “new normal” set-up of implementing extension programs. One of which is the reduction of training participants, development of blended learning activities and minimizing mass gatherings.

KIDAPAWAN CITY- Recently, CoViD-19 or widely known as the Corona Virus Disease 2019 has significantly affected people’s lives worldwide. Countries are in lock down, 6.15M people were infected and the virus has claimed immense number of lives.

Following the outbreak of CoViD-19 which started in Wuhan, Hubei, China, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared a national state of calamity last March 16 in the country due to the said disease. The proclamation also declared enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the entire island of Luzon.

PILI, Camarines Sur- The activities for Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund or RCEF have gone online too.

According to the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute Bicol Assistant Center Director Vivien Carable, who serves as a team leader of RCEF, they have utilized social media to continue their activities, which were preempted by the global pandemic.

It was made possible through ATI Bicol #Sarabay Channel which is streamed over Facebook Live.

PAMPANGA -- The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Information Caravans of Agricultural Training Institute in Central Luzon (ATI-CL) will shift to radio broadcasts this June.

The said program will be aired in Pampanga every Tuesday and Friday starting June 5 and farmers across the country could also reach the program via live stream.

CAGAYAN VALLEY -- Aside from disseminating information, education and communication (IEC) materials on Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) and rice technology updates, flipchart on palaycheck system were packaged, reproduced and distributed to farm schools conducting the modified farmers’ field school.

Starting this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will vigorously push for farm clustering and consolidation, being one of the key strategies to level up the Philippine agriculture sector.

“It is important to convince farmers and their respective cooperatives and associations or FCAs to merge and come together to optimize the interventions and assistance provided by the DA and other government agencies,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.