DILIMAN, Quezon City—The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations are now working together to come up with updated learning guides and training programs on agrobiodiversity conservation.

This is part of the project "Dynamic Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agrobiodiversity in Traditional Agro-Ecosystems of the Philippines," which intends to sustain historical and conventional farming systems in the country. The project includes knowledge-sharing on agrobiodiversity management and conservation practices for farmers through Farmer Field Schools (FFS).

Representatives from ATI, FAO, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Provincial Agriculture Environment and Natural Resources Office of Ifugao, and Municipal Agriculture Office of Hungduan, Ifugao recently sat down for a module enhancement writeshop on heirloom rice and agrobiodiversity crops.

During the three-day activity, the participants reviewed and updated the existing training modules and other documents based on the current local situation. Moreover, the group finalized the budgetary requirements for the implementation of FFS in pilot areas in Ifugao.

In his welcome message, Partnerships and Accreditation Division chief Renato Dela Cruz assured the participants of ATI’s support to the efforts of FAO in terms of agricultural development and agrobiodiversity conservation.

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility and jointly implemented by FAO, selected local government units, and concerned bureaus and attached agencies of the Department of Agriculture.

This writeshop was held last January 21-23, 2020 at the ATI Central Office in this city.