Following the recent graduation of the first batch of Rice Specialists, the second batch of the Rice Specialists Training Course (RSTC) here in Negros Occidental commenced on August 1 and will end on November 4, 2022

For the first two weeks of the training, the trainees have undergone Mind-Setting and Transformational Leadership Workshop with Ka Boyet Ongkiko. The group also visited the agriculture offices in the province of Negros Occidental and the municipality of Murcia. They also met with the officers of Negros Occidental Association Accredited Seed Producers Cooperative.

Groundwork activities for the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in four barangays of Murcia, namely; Sta Rosa Proper, Sta Rosa Old Barrio, San Miguel, and Caliban, were discussed with the barangay officials and selected farmer associations. The groundworks include profiling of farmer participants, validation of Participatory Technology Demonstration area, and FFS briefing.

The RSTC is part of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP), a component of Republic Act 11203 or Rice Tariffication Law authored by Sen Cynthia A. Villar. This training aims to enhance the capacities of rice farmers to become competitive in rice production. For more information about the PhilRice-conducted training, text or call the PhilRice Text Center at 0917-111-7423. 
(DA-PhilRice Negros, FB)