SAN MATEO, Isabela—To improve its extension services for rice farmers in Cagayan Valley, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center II (ATI-RTC II) initiated an inter-agency meeting to harmonize the implementing guidelines for the development of Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs) and Farm Schools under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

SAN MATEO, Isabela – The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center II (ATI-RTC II) resumes its first batch of Training of Trainers (TOT) on the Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds, and Farm Mechanization under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

The five-day training, scheduled on June 22-26, 2020 at the ATI-RTC II complex, takes off from the first part of the TOT held last March 9 to 14 which was temporarily postponed due to COVID-19 lockdown measures.

With quarantine and social distancing protocols in place, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is now offering distance learning platforms as it continues its training programs for rice farmers under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

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.