MARAMAG, Bukidnon – In order to enhance and put into practical activity the theories and concepts that the rice farmer participants of the "Training of Trainers on Production of High Quality Inbred Rice Seeds, Seed Certification and Farm Mechanization" learned, the aforementioned participants were given the opportunity to go to the field and experience rice farming activities.

The participants departed from Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon at 4:30 in the morning, together with their Resource Persons for the activities and the Training Management Team. Their first activity being the Agro Eco System Analysis was held at Bagontaas, Valencia City, Bukidnon. They were divided into three groups and were given assigned areas.

The purpose of the activity was for them to observe the biotic and abiotic factors in the rice field and have a thorough analysis of its dynamics in order to come up with some recommendations for the said area.

Afterwhich, they were transported to the CMU Satellite Office of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). Everyone was warmly welcomed by the manager of the office himself, Mr. Noel Mabayag. Mr. Mabayag gave a brief introduction of the role of PhilRice and its roots, as well as some of the protocols that they have to follow during the whole duration of the activity.

The Resource Persons for the hands-on were from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), namely: Engr. Ian D. Madjus, Engr. Carlo Mark Lagumbay and Engr. Jialima S. Maruhom.

The machineries that they were able to experience during their stay were mechanical rice transplanter, hand tractor and rice combine harvester. The participants were not only trained on how to operate the said machineries, but they were also taught regarding its parts and it corresponding uses, and how to do basic troubleshooting.

The day concluded with a tour to the PhilRice facility. As such, participants were exposed to the warehouse of the institution where Ms. Ivy Pearl Dahino gave a short lecture on how to properly store the seeds. Aside from this, they were also taken to a mechanical dryer with Mr. Noel Mabayag who showed how to properly operate it.