DILIMAN, Quezon City—In line with the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) held a meeting to ensure a common understanding of the programs and services under the law among its network of training centers.

This meeting, dubbed as “Demystifying Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF),” convened the center directors, Rice Program focal persons, and planning and information officers of all ATI regional training centers.

DILIMAN, Quezon City – To show that pork, and other meat products are safe for public consumption, the Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted a boodle fight featuring various pork-based dishes.

This is despite positive results of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country, following the reported death cases of pigs in Luzon.

Secretaries William Dar of DA, and Francisco Duque of the Department of Health, led the activity, together with different hog industry stakeholders.

BUTUAN CITY—In ensuring safe food production and consumption, awareness on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and its certification processes is continually strengthened at farm level.

To assist the farmers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) lead the development of an operating manual for Internal Control System (ICS) on GAP. The manual will serve as guide on the standards in relation to GAP implementation and certification.

CABAGAN, Isabela—In line with the thrust to promote white corn as a healthier staple than rice, focal persons of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Corn Program were trained on the production of flint corn and processing of corn grits for food.

These focal persons, who play an important role in expanding the reach of up-to-date corn farming technologies, include program coordinators from DA regional field offices and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) training centers.

DILIMAN, Quezon City—To digitally innovate ways in responding to farmers’ information needs and complaints, the Department of Agriculture (DA) recently launched the Fisheries and Agriculture Response Management (FARM) Citizens Application.

The FARM App is a 24/7 online-based help desk developed in coordination with key agencies and bureaus of the Department. It aims to address questions and concerns from farmers, particularly on plant and animal disease management, through chat or live messaging feature.

BAGUIO CITY—To collectively enhance data presentation through the Rice Crop Manager (RCM) Advisory Service, involved key agencies gathered for the RCM User Database Workshop.

Some 15 participants from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI); Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Offices in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Region I, and Region III; and the Agricultural Training Institute attended the activity. They provided significant inputs to further develop the RCM Advisory Service, particularly the RCM Statistics.