Today, July 18, 2022, batch 18 of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program(RCEF-RESP) Rice Specialists’ Training Course (RSTC) kicked off at the DA-PhilRice Agusan Experiment Station, Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte.

The 27 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEW) from Region 9 will be trained for 14 weeks to be rice specialists who are technically competent and fully equipped to respond to challenges and complexities in the agricultural environment. Included in the module of the season-long activity is to train farmers in becoming more competitive through Farmers’ Field School or FFS.

In her welcome message, Ms. Cherryl U. Seville, Research and Development Coordinator, encouraged the participants to make memorable experiences while learning. “During your 14 weeks away from home, you will learn so many things that are helpful not just to your own career but to our farmers as well. So take this opportunity to ask more questions and learn more,” she added.

It can be recalled that the DA-PhilRice Agusan has produced 31 rice specialists under the 12th batch of RCEF RSTC.

Meanwhile, in Mailag, Valencia City, a total of 30 TESDA accredited farm school owners and trainers participate in the RCEF Training of Trainers on Pest and Nutrient Management (TOT PNM) at Maricz Integrated Farm School.

The RCEF TOT PNM will focus on improving farmers’ knowledge and skills in accurate pest identification, disease diagnosis, and their management as well as fertilizer application. The training started last July 18 and ended on July 22, 2022.

The RCEF RSTC batch 18 and TOT PNM are implemented under the RCEF Extension program.
(DA-PhilRice Agusan, FB)