By Jessica M. Bacud
SAN MATEO, Isabela – The Agricultural Training Institute and its Regional Training Centers across the country met for the agency’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund- Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP) midyear review and assessment from July 11-12 here.
Dir. Imelda M. Guillermo, ATI-RTC 02 Center Director, raised the importance of the preparation for the Digital Agriculture Course for RCEF, which will be implemented by the farm school at ATI-Central Office, Diliman, Quezon City.
On day one of the program, consolidated accomplishments of the agency were presented apart from the training conducted and other activities.
Center directors and RCEF focal persons shared their perceptions of the advancement of the program in the remaining two years of RCEF.
Mr. Jhimcelle Salvador, ATI-RTC 02 RCEF-RESP Focal Person, and Shaye C. Fontanilla, Information Officer II, were also present during the review.
The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) or Rice Fund aims to improve rice farmers’ competitiveness and income amid the liberalization of the country’s rice trade policy, which lifted quantitative restrictions on rice imports and replaced them with tariffs among other changes.
Enhancing rice productivity under the ATI’s rice extension services provided teaching skills through Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on rice crop production, modern rice farming techniques, seed production, farm mechanization, and knowledge/technology transfer through farm schools.
The review and assessment became a fruitful event as participants discussed solution-based actions and plans for the RCEF-RESP, the ATI said in a statement.
