Dir. Igmedio Casticon of TESDA Isabela presents the Farm School Guidelines of TESDA during the inter-agency meeting. (Photo by ATI-RTC II)
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).
ATI-RTC II Center Director Imelda Guillermo led the meeting and discussed the LSA guidelines including the requirements for certification. Meanwhile, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Isabela Provincial Director Igmedio Gasticon presented the guidelines in establishing Farm Schools under RCEF.
Engr. Leo Javier, Branch Director of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Isabela, also shared the procedures in conducting Farmers’ Field Schools (FFS) which are being held at Farm Schools.
From these documents, representatives of the participating agencies identified areas of convergence to integrate both the LSA and Farm School guidelines for RCEF extension. Upcoming activities among these agencies were also harmonized during the meeting.
The activity was held last May 22 at the ATI-RTC II compound and was participated by officials from the different RCEF component agencies in the region.
Other activities conducted by the regional RCEF agencies this semester include a consultation among Farm School owners with ATI, TESDA, and PhilRice on FFS field day and graduation activities last March 13. In January, an inter-agency meeting was also held for the Conduct of Refresher Course for Seed Growers.
Meanwhile, ATI-RTC II continues to support RCEF Farm Schools by providing information, education, and communication materials. Posters, flip charts, modules, manuals, and production guides on rice farming were distributed to selected sites in San Mateo, Angadanan, and Cabatuan, Isabela and in Cabarroguis, Quirino.
RCEF information caravans also took off even during the COVID-19 quarantine period with the use of radio. ATI-RTC II’s “Ugnayang ATI” airs once a week over DZDA Radyo Pangkaunlaran and DWPE Radyo Pilipinas Tuguegarao for RCEF updates.
A school-on-the-air program for RCEF beneficiaries is also set to air across Cagayan and Isabela provinces from August to October over these radio stations, as well as DWRL Lal-lo, and DZND Radyo Kalugaran.