Twenty nine rice production trainers in Central Luzon are now equipped with knowledge and skills to help farmers become more competitive.
The trainers, composed of 12 agricultural extension workers, two local farmer technicians and 15 farm school owners and workers, completed their 10-day training at the Philippine Rice Institute (PhilRice) Central Experiment Station at the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija on Friday.
The participants’ rice production training dubbed as “Training of Trainers on the Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice and Seeds and Farm Mechanization” is funded by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP).
The RCEF-RESP is a part of Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law which aims to boost the capacity of rice farmers.
Lea Abaoag, head of the DA-Philrice’s Training Management Services Division, said the trainees have learned the concepts and principles of the PalayCheck System specifically on the production of high-quality inbred rice and seeds.
Abaoag said the participants were also trained on farm mechanization.
Meanwhile, DA-PhilRice Executive Director John C. De Leon encouraged the trainees to use what they have learned in the training to help farmers boost their income and be competitive. (PNA)