ATI Central Luzon in partnership with Villar SIPAG Foundation and TESDA Pampanga launched the 15th batch of Training of Trainers on Production of High Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds and Farm Mechanization at the City of San Fernando, Pampanga on May 8-18, 2023, under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program. Day 1 Series of activities were conducted before running in to the first topic of the module. The participants’ knowledge on the course were gauged using the prepared pre-test with actual specimens. It was then followed by the discussion about the Philippine Rice Industry Situation, Rice Tariffication Law, and Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. The training is being participated by 30 farmer leaders, farm owners, and TESDA-accredited farm schools representatives in Region 3.
Day 2 The second day of the training was filled with fruitful discussions about the Transformational Leadership given by Mr. Emmanuel Bundoc, owner of the Felisidro Farm (an ATI-Certified LSA in Pulilan, Bulacan). It was followed by Mr. Jayson S. Baldoz by discussing the Overview of the PalayCheck System. In the afternoon, the topics on Rice Morphology and Growth Stages, and Key Check 1 and 2 were discussed by Mr. Jayson S. Gelacio.
DAY 3 On the third day of the said training, a thorough discussion on KeyCheck 3, KeyCheck 4, KeyCheck 5 and KeyCheck 6 were explained by the Technical Staff under RCEF Program Mr. Jayson S. Baldoz and Mr. Jayson S. Gelacio.
Day 4
Continuation of PalayCheck System topics. Mr. Jayson S. Baldoz of ATI RTC 3, started the day by discussing the Key Check 7. Technical expert from the Regional Crop Protection Center Ms. Trojane Soberano discussed the different rice insect pests and their natural enemies, rice diseases and management, weeds, and other pests of rice.
In the afternoon, the topics on Key Checks 8 and 9 were discussed by Mr. Jayson S. Gelacio with special topics of crop cut, yield and yield components and then followed by the discussion of Mr. Jayson Baldoz on How to Conduct AESA
Day 5
Mr. Phillip S. Abenir and Ms. Danica Leah C. Corpuz from Bureau of Plant Industry-National Seed Quality Center Sevices briefly discussed the Policies and Guidelines on Seed Certification, and Seed Testing Methods, Procedures and Laboratory standards. They have also brought some rice seed samples that were used by the participants to perform physical purity and varietal test.
It was followed by Mr. Jayson S. Baldoz wherein he discussed on how to conduct farmer field school.
Ms. Jennielyn Zabala from Landbank of the Philippines shared her knowledge and expertise by discussing Basic Financial literacy and management, the fice Cs/Ks of credit, credit/loan management, preparation of farm plan and budget and lending programs. It was followed then by the Provincial Director of TESDA Pampanga Atty. Eric Ueda for the discussion of Farmers Field School Program Accreditation Process.
Day 6
The RCEF-TOT on High Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds and Farm Mechanization (Batch 15) participants had a field activity on AESA, MOET establishment, and making of observation well at the E.D. Lacson Agricultural Learning Center in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga (an ATI RTC III Certified LSA under RCEF).
There, they studied the learning field and came up with an output that they also presented on the afternoon.
Day 7
Sunday’s discussions include the ICT on Rice Production, Communication and Presentation Skills tackled by Ms. Meamette Rosario.
Afternoon schedule covers topics on How to Conduct Final Analysis and Principles of adult Learning Conducting and Facilitating farmer groups effectively that were discussed by Ms. Reinalyn C. Gulen from ATI-RTCIII.
Day 8
Discussed how to establish a learning field and how to make a cropping calendar. He was followed by Technical experts: Engr. Mariel B. Reyes, Engr. Judy Ann M. Domingo and Engr. Marco Polo A. Yape Jr. from Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) who discussed the RCEF Mechanization Program, Rice machineries, Basic Troubleshooting, respectively. They also discussed Farm Machinery Operation and Safety for the participants readiness on tomorrow’s hands-on activities.
On the afternoon session, Philmech tackled the topic Financial Analysis to briefly deliberate technical requirements of operating and maintaining rice machineries and Partial budgeting to enhanced decision making.
Series of activities were conducted before running in to the first topic of the module. The participants’ knowledge on the course were gauged using the prepared pre-test with actual specimens. 
Discussed how to establish a learning field and how to make a cropping calendar. He was followed by Technical experts: Engr. Mariel B. Reyes, Engr. Judy Ann M. Domingo and Engr. Marco Polo A. Yape Jr. from Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) who discussed the RCEF Mechanization Program, Rice machineries, Basic Troubleshooting, respectively. They also discussed Farm Machinery Operation and Safety for the participants readiness on tomorrow’s hands-on activities.