RCEF Takes Off in Bicol RCEF Goes Online RCEF: Farmers’ Immense Page 1 Page 5 Boost of Optimism|Page 8 I N S I D E

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1 RCEF Takes Off in Bicol RCEF Takes Off in Bicol

2 Potential Seed Growers Engage in Inbred Seeds Production

3 DA-ATI Bicol Holds RCEF Extension Consultative Meeting

4 RCEF Info Caravan Boasts First-Ever 4-Province Simulcast Radio Broadcast, Youtube Stream

5 RCEF Goes Online

RCEF Transitions to New Normal via SOA

6 Trainers Trained on Inbred Rice under RCEF

7 First School-On-Air on RCEF ‘Harvests’ 500 Graduates

8 RCEF: Farmers’ Immense Boost of Optimism

9 DA-ATI Bicol, Partner Agencies Report 2020 RCEF Extension Performances

PILI, – A series ing Sites which shall become the Basic Sector in Agriculture of activities kicked off the Rice Farm Schools managed by (RSBSA). The RSBSA registra- ATING KAUGNAY NEWSLETTER Competitiveness Enhance- the Technical Education and tion is a requirement for those ment Fund (RCEF) implemen- Skills Development Authority availing themselves of seed Editorial Board: tation in the (TESDA). The third batch was and mechanization assistance Technical Advisers | ELSA A. PAROT starting October 2019. for 27 agrarian reform bene- under RCEF. VIVIEN V. CARABLE ficiary organizations (ARBOs). DR. FRANKLIN BEL T. ISIP Four (4) training courses and The fourth training courses was RCEF provides an annual ap- ENGR. JOEY A. BELARMINO eleven (11) information cara- a Training on Inbred Rice Seed propriation of 10 billion for the Editor-in-Chief | PRIMALOU B. IMPERIAL van/technical briefing pro- Production and Farm Mecha- next 6 years with the enact- Editor | ISAGANI C. VALENZUELA, JR. Layout Artists | CHRISTIAN T.R. TOSOC | KRISHELL E. BALISORO pelled the RCEF in the priority nization for Seed Growers. ment of Republic Act 11203. Contributors | MA. LOUIZA SB. TENA | KRISHELL E. BALISORO | RAMONA INES B. RANESES, LIB, PhD. provinces of , Camarines The increasing population Photo Credits | PROJECT IMPLEMENTERS Sur, , and . Meanwhile, from November growth and per capital con- to December 2019, the eleven sumption, together with more This newsletter is published every semester by Three (3) Training of Trainers (11) batches of information extreme weather events that Department of Agriculture (TOT) on Inbred Rice Seed caravan/technical briefing limit the worldwide rice supply, Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center V (Bicol) Production and Farm Mech- informed a total of 800 farmers are just some of the reasons through Information Services Section anization served 95 rice and farm workers on the four why we need to achieve a Diversion Road, San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur industry stakeholders. The first (4) RCEF components – seeds, more competitive, profitable, www.ati.da.gov.ph/ati-5 and second batches were mechanization, credit, and resilient, and responsive rice for 70 agricultural extension extension. The activity also industry for a rice-secure Philip- Printed in the workers (AEWs) and owners/ discussed the process of en- pines. Primalou B. Imperial listing in the Registry System for Copyright 2020. All Rights Reserved farmer cooperators of Learn-

1 | Potential Seed Growers Engage in DA- ATI Bicol Holds RCEF Extension Rice Seed Growers Consultative Meeting Trained for Inbred Seeds Production Re-Accreditation PILI, Camarines Sur – The Rice outdoor activities were done Philippines sought to protect Camarines Sur – Rice seed grow- Competitiveness Enhance- including Seed Sampling, Sam- Filipino rice farmers from the in- ers play a crucial role in improving ment Fund (RCEF) enforces ple Preparation and Routing flux of imported rice by enact- the productivity of rice farmers. Sufficient, appropriate, and timely measures that will improve rice of Samples, Field Inspection ing the Agricultural Tariffication farmers’ productivity. One of and Rouging in Inbred Rice availability of seeds are needed for Act (RA 8187) in 1996. The law farmers to realize high yields and these is the Training Course Fields, Seed Bagging and Tag- exempts rice from tariffication. return on investment. on Modernized Production of ging, Harvest and Postharvest High-Quality Inbred Rice Seeds Management Technology and However, the Rice Tariffica- With this in mind, the Department for Seed Growers. Seed Testing Methods. tion Law or Republic Act (RA) of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute in Region V (DA-ATI Bicol) 11203 enacted in 2019 liber- PILI, Camarines Sur – The chez; conducted the Retooling on Inbred The 31 training participants As the participants anticipat- alizes rice trade. Quantitative Department of Agriculture- Rice Seed Production for Seed represented the four RCEF-pri- ed engaging in inbred rice restriction on rice imports are Agricultural Training Insti- Philippine Rice Research Growers on February 26-28, 2020 ority provinces in the region seeds production and be tute-Regional Training Center Institute (PhilRice Bicol) Mr. Mi- replaced with a tariff system. V (DA-ATI Bicol) spearheaded chael Satuito and Ms. Arlene at Isarog Hall, ATI Compound, San – Albay, Camarines Sur, accredited as seed growers, the Rice Competitiveness Narvasa; Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur. Masbate, and Sorsogon. The they formed a Seed Grower Nevertheless, an annual Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – training took place at Isarog Association with Mr. Andres appropriation of PhP10 billion Extension Component Consul- Philippine Center for Posthar- Rice seed growers have to maintain tative Meeting at Isarog Hall, vest Development and Mech- Hall, ATI Compound, San Paclibar of Pioduran, Albay as from the tariffs on imported the genetic identity and purity of ATI Dormitory, ATI RTC V, San anization Mr. Mark Anthony rice seeds, and make high quality Agustin, Pili, Camarines on last president-elect. They named rice shall be used for measures Agustin, Pili last 31 January Isureña, Mr. Glenn Joshua seeds of superior varieties available October 14-18, 2019. their group ALCAMAS which under RCEF that will improve 2020. Fumigay, Mr. Joseph Corporal, to farmers. Thus, the three (3)-day stands for Albay, Camarines Jr. and Ms. Edlin Kate Banton. rice farmers’ productivity. This training equipped the participants The activity honed the skills Sur, Masbate and Sorsogon. ATI Center Director Elsa Parot includes the training of poten- gave the opening remarks LandBank Camarines Lending with the technical competencies of prospective seed growers tial seed growers. Krishell E. and highlighted Sec. William Center Ms. Jhoan Salcedo, on inbred rice seed production and who will produce high-quality A member of the World Trade Balisoro Dar’s mantra “Masaganang and Development Bank of the farm mechanization. inbred rice seeds. Indoor and Organization since 1995, the Ani, Mataasna Kita” as the Philippines Lending Center Mr. beginning of 2020 project Mark Bragais. Major activities during the capa- implementation. bility building are the laboratory Present also were the rep- and hands-on activities such as The main objectives of the resentatives from different germination test, varietal purity test, activity are to harmonize the Provincial Agriculture Offices in programs’ activities exten- the region. They are Ms. Hilda physical purity test, and moisture sion targets as well as discuss Lopez, Ms. Rosalinda Belodo, content determination. These were the issues and concerns and and Ms. Rochelle Adivino of done at the Bureau of Plant Indus- actions taken regarding Albay; Mr. Ulysses Cabrera of try’s National Seed Quality Control RCEF implementation in the Masbate; and Mr. Levi Barce- Services (BPI-NSQCS) located at the Bicol Region. Presented also lona with John Rey Olivenza of Department of Agriculture Regional were the 2019 accomplish- Sorsogon. Field Office 5. ments and target activities of program implementers for this ATI and TESDA will expedite The training participants comprises year. registration of additional Farm- 32 seed growers from Camarines er Field Schools (FFS) on Pro- Twenty-five participants from duction of High-Quality Inbred Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Cama- different partner agencies Rice Seed Certification and rines Norte. attended the meeting. These Farm Mechanization to ensure are the Department of Agricul- the smooth implementation The Resource Persons were tech- ture represented by Ms. Phoe- of the program. Remaining nical experts of the Department of be San Buenaventura; slots for 2019 for FFS will be re- Agriculture (DA), BPI-NSQCS, the aligned to Solar Power Irriga- Seed Coordinator of the Office of Technical Education and tion System Operations and the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) in Skills Development Authority Maintenance. Camarines Sur, PAGASA-Pili, Agrom- represented by Camarines Sur et Station, and PhilRice Bicol. Provincial Director Alejandro Other agreements were Cortez, TESDA Albay Provincial discussed through an open Director Ruth Dayawen and forum and agreed on the Having acquired updated knowl- Maria Bella Atienza, TESDA complementation of resources edge and skills on producing high Masbate Ms. Laura Cabug, and the schedule of extension quality inbred rice seeds, the par- Mr. Roberto DelasLlagas from activities for the effective im- ticipants may renew their rice seed TESDA Camarines Sur; plementation of RCEF activi- grower accreditation at BPI-NSQCS, ties in the Region. Pili, Camarines Sur after the training. Bureau of Plant Industry-Na- tional Seed Quality Control Director Ruth Dayawen ended The training initiated the year’s series Services (BPI-NSQCS) Mr. Jose the activity with her closing of interventions under the Rice Com- Tormes and Ms. Caroline San- message. Krishell E. Balisoro petitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). Krishell E. Balisoro | 2 3 | RCEF Goes RCEF Transitions to RCEF Info Caravan Boasts First-Ever 4-Province Online New Normal via SOA Simulcast Radio Broadcast, YouTube Stream PILI, Camarines Sur - The activ- ities for Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund or RCEF have gone online too.

According to Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute V (DA-ATI Bicol) Assistant Center Director Vivien Carable, who serves as team leader of RCEF, they have utilized social media to continue their activities, which were preempted by the glob- al pandemic.

It was made possible through ATI Bicol #Sarabay Channel which is streamed over Face- book Live. The RCEF was created through PILI, Camarines Sur – “In every ad- of people, ATI Bicol is channeling versity comes opportunity. Along RCEF extension services through headed by Dir. Rodel P. Tornil- the Republic Act 11203 or Rice PILI, Camarines Sur – In known as the Rice Tarrifi- with leaving our comfort zone, blended face-to-face and radio response to the prohibition cation Law. The law seeks la, as well as the Provincial Ag- Trade Liberalization Law. It was we need you. We can only do so communication, according to the of mass gathering in light to ensure affordable rice riculturists, namely Engr. Jonel promulgated to lift rice import much at ATI if our support system is RCEF Team Leader and Assistant restrictions to make the food of Covid-19 pandemic, prices for consumers and Orteza of Masbate, Ms. Che not with us.” Center Director, Ms. Vivien Carable. staple more affordable to Rebeta of Albay, Ms. Che Ber- the Department of Agricul- at the same time raise the Filipinos. With these words, DA-ATI Bicol During the orientation meeting, ture-Agricultural Training income of rice farmers. mejo of Camarines Sur, and Center Director Elsa Parot ac- AEWs confirmed that only 10 to 25 knowledged the crucial role of percent of farmers have access to Institute has redesigned the Mr. Nestor Nava of Sorsogon RCEF has a PHP 10 billion Agricultural Extension Workers the Internet. Thus a radio-mediated conduct of the Rice Com- DA-ATI Bicol Assistant Center for their continued assistance annual appropriation for the (AEWs) in delivering information to communication is preferred provid- petitiveness Enhancement Director Vivien V. Carable and support to RCEF. next six years to be allocated rice farmers and other members of ed the radio station selected has a Fund (RCEF) Information and Engr. Kristine O. Olila, the and disbursed for its four major farming communities. strong signal in the intended areas. components, namely; mech- Caravan to attune to the rice focal person are spear- According to Dir. Tornilla, anization, seed distribution, This happened during the orien- The time of airing also has to be new normal. heading the agency’s RCEF credit, and extension service. tation meeting with AEWs for the considered. Should farmers be program implementation in upcoming ATIng Kaugnay School- unavailable on the allotted time, “Ang programa ay tugon ATI plays a significant part in on-Air (SOA) on the Production the AEWs said they are prepared to Instead of as the usual the region. sa pangangailangan the latter. of High Quality Inbred Rice and meet the farmers on specific times face-to-face encounter Seeds held at ATI Bicol. and replay the missed episodes as involving the rice farmers The Info Caravan radio na mag siwalat ng mga The activities conducted on- well as administer periodic assess- and extension workers, broadcast can be viewed mahahalagang kaala- line last month were the Briefer On its second implementation ments. on the Rice Tariffication Law, year, ATI Bicol is conducting and the RCEP team hop- publicly via YouTube. Howev- man at impormasyon extension activities on the Rice The modified SOA on RCEF shall start the RCEF Rice Extension Ser- ping from one province to er, it is broadcasted on radio Competitiveness Enhancement on August and end in September. It sa ating mga magsasa- vices Component of ATI, the another, the information in four priority provinces of Fund (RCEF) through a modified shall air for twice a week in Cama- ka na hindi kailangan RCEF Extension Component SOA which shall involve limited rines Sur where 36 municipalities are caravan is simulcasted in Bicol -- Camarines Sur, Albay, magkakaharap dahil sa & 2020 Target of Activities, interpersonal communication as RCEF-priority areas. the four provinces in Bicol Sorsogon, and . and the RCEF Mechanization well as radio and social media via radio broadcast and The one-hour daily program is banta ng CoViD-19.” Component. broadcasts. “We are facing challenges because the social media platform aired for eight days, Tuesday it’s difficult if we can’t do face-to- Republic Act 11203, also known face,” Center Director Parot told of ATI Bicol, the #Sarabay to Friday from July 7th to July These activities generated as Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), was the future SOA facilitators. However, Channel on YouTube. 17th. Dir. Parot added, that this info more than 4,000 views and signed into law in February 2019 she encouraged everyone to over- The activity, called ‘RCEF caravan is an example of reached more than 13,000 appropriating Php 10 billion annu- come challenges. people. ally. Known as RCEF, it shall fund the agency’s “uninterrupted Information Caravan On During the opening episode, four interventions aimed at improv- “Do not stop. When we’re at sea, service” even though we are Air,’ aims to educate rice DA-ATI Bicol Center Director Ms. Carable also added that ing the productivity of Filipino rice we can only wonder what’s out farmers – seed, mechanization, there. We cannot know if we do not farmers about the features Elsa A. Parot thanked the now experiencing pandemic. they will go on the air soon credit, and extension services. go beyond the shore. When passion and benefits of the Re- Department of Agriculture-Re- Ma. Louiza SB. Tena with the launching of the meetmeets purpose, exciting things public Act 11203 otherwise gional Field Office (DA-RFO) school-on-air and information With the Covid-19 pandemic put- happen. Primalou B. Imperial caravan. Isagani C. Valenzu- ting restrictions on large gatherings ela, Jr.

| 4 5 | First School-On-Air on RCEF Trainers Trained on Inbred Rice under RCEF ‘Harvests’ 500 Graduates CAMARINES SUR – Five hun- subject matter systematically dred (500) registered rice and progressively. Participants of SOA were from farmers from the province of the 25 municipalities and two Camarines Sur successfully The two-month modified SOA cities in Camarines Sur namely: completed the training course under RCEF ran from August 4 , , Bato, Bombon, on ATIng Kaugnay School – September 24, 2020, instead Buhi, Bula, , Cana- on-the-Air (SOA) Program on of four months. It was aired man, , , the Production of High-Quality every Tuesday and Thursday , , Lupi, Inbred Rice and Seeds and from 5:30-6:30 in the afternoon , , Nab- Farm mechanization under over DWNX 91.1 MHz FM and ua, Ocampo, Pamplona, Pili, the Rice Competitiveness DWNX 16.11 kHz AM. Also, this , Sagñay, San Fernan- Enhancement Fund (RCEF) was streamed via YouTube do, San Jose, , Tinam- Program. and Facebook Live thru ATI bac, City and Naga City. Bicol #SarabayChannel. The SOA Program is one of Virtual Graduation Ceremony ATI’s distance learning modal- The training’s main objective was streamed via ATI Bicol ity to promote the complete is to promote the updated YouTube Live and Radio package of rice farming tech- technologies on the produc- The RCEF Team of DA-ATI Biicol led by Assistant Center Director Ms. Vivien Carable during Zoom -channelled Training of Trainers Broadcast last September 29, nologies. It is a series of radio tion of high-quality inbred rice 2020. Krishell E. Balisoro PILI, Camarines Sur – Amid the acknowledged the import- procedures. programs which present the and seeds and farm mechani- challenges of COVID-19 in the ant roles of the Agricultural zation in the region. Bicol Region, the Department Extension Workers (AEWs), Hands-on activities will be held of Agriculture-Agricultural TESDA Representatives and at these locations: Salvador Training Institute–Regional Learning Site Cooperators in and Emeteria Farm located Training Center V (DA-ATI the training. at . Cagmanaba, Bicol) launched the Train- Ocampo, Camarines Sur; ing of Trainers (TOT) on the The TOT aimed to demonstrate Palayamanayon ni Tiyo Edgar Production of High-Quality training management skills Farm located at , Inbred Rice & Seeds and Farm and knowledge in facilitating Albay; Rapsing Intyegrated Mechanization under the Rice the RCEF Farmer Field School Agricultural Learning Site Farm Competitiveness Enhance- on Production of High-Quality located Barangay Cabitam, ment Fund (RCEF) last Tues- Inbred Rice, Seed Certifica- , Masbate; and Sor- day, September 8, 2020 via tion, and Farm Mechanization. sogon City. Zoom Platform and Facebook Live. It used the Blended Learning The attendees consisted of 64 modality which is a systematic participants from the provinc- mix of face-to-face training es of Camarines Sur, Albay, “This is one way to ap- with online learning. The face- Sorsogon and Masbate. preciate what the pan- to-face component delivered demic has given us. simultaneous and nonsimul- The TOT is a partnership taneous activities such as project with the Office of the Hindi lang siya puro microteaching from different Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) problema. We were locations. Camarines Sur headed by able to discover our Ms. Luzena N. Bermeo, Albay The training required face-to- Provincial Agricultural Office creativity, resiliency, face or hands-on activities for (APAO Albay) headed by Ms. and resourcefulness.” the topics with practical and Cheryll O. Rebeta, OPAg Sor- skills components, including sogon headed by Mr. Nestor rice machinery and equip- A. Nava, and OPAg Masbate With these words, DA-ATI Bicol ment operations, agro-ecosys- headed by Engr. Jonel P. Orte- Center Director Elsa A. Parot tem analysis, and seed testing za. Krishell E. Balisoro The school-on-air students from the municipality of Ragay attend their virtual graduation.

| 6 7 | RCEF: Farmers’ Immense Boost of Optimism Oas, Albay - Have you ever stopped five coastal barangays were down- Harvestime brought unparalleled DA-ATI Bicol, Partner Agencies Report to think about people such as Tio Ton- trodden as a result of very low price happiness to the farmer-trainees. Not- yo? A 60-year old farmer brooding at of palay. Hungry and devastated, the withstanding the inclement weather, 2020 RCEF Extension Performance dusk in the corner of his rice field, he farmers felt they had nowhere to turn heavy rains and typhoon, yet watch- seems unmindful of his environment. to for relief. They could only scream ful that the classes poised to reap the Moving closer to this lowly farmer, you with heart full of disappointment, benefits of their investments in time, see his eyes puffy from crying. Worry darkened by the sad state of agricul- effort and resources, the harvest was is bugging his mind and spirit. “Where tural affairs. To the farmer-trainees, set for October 22, 2020, or three do I get funds for our daily living? the introduction of RCEF was a relief days prior to the onslaught of tyhoon Where do I get money to buy my from lethargy and passivity towards Quinta. A good harvest was reaped wife’s medicine?” optimism and positivism. The three striking an impressive Two-hundred month study period was an exciting percent (200%) increase in the pro- Such was the dismal and devastating experience for them, with the rice duction yield from the past farming. situation of many a downtrodden field used as a classroom. In 2019, the ricefield produced only coastal farmer, who, like Tio Ton- 16 sacks of palay, while this 2020, 70 yo, suffered a lot as a result of the As the classes reeled off, the farm- sacks were harvested. Important to downscaling of the price of palay. er-trainees developed a clearer note that the continuous heavy rains Farmers cried for help as palay prices outlook in rice farming as they gained and strong winds for several days dropped. insights on the salient features of RA prior to harvest inundated almost 11203 and the Rice Tariffication Law one-fourth of the ricefield. This heavily affected the ready-for-harvest palay On Septemebr 10, this year, the lowly on the first few days of their training. DA-ATI Bicol Assistant Center Director Vivien Carable, who is also the center’s RCEF Coordinator reads her message during the opening of the RCEF- farmers in the coastal barangays of It was a novel and delightful expe- and had a tremendous effect of RSEP Harmonization Meeting. Oas, Province of Albay received a rience for the farmer-trainees to be damaging approximately 25 sacks of PILI, Camarines Sur -- Despite Support Services; Develop- Quality Control), and farmers new shot in the arms. A total of 100 positioned in the rice field at 5:00 in the projected total harvest, over and the Covid-19 pandemic still on ment of Farm Schools; and the (Agripreneurship). farmers in five coastal barangays the morning to capture the insects above the actual harvest. the horizon and the successive Implementation of a Training were given the opportunity to learn swarming the palay for identifying typhoons that hit the region, Scholarship Scheme. It shall also conduct certifi- the scientific way of rice farming and knowing the harmful effects. RCEF helped boost the morale of the the rice sector’s performance cation and support to new through the Rice Competitiveness En- Through the AESA and Rouging farmer-trainees. With RCEF they saw in Bicol did not turn out bad The Department of Agricul- rice-based Learning Sites and hancement Fund (RCEF), as scholars hands-on experiences, the farm- the silver lining, a sign of hope in an after all. ture-Agricultural Training enhancement of rice-based of the Technical Education and Skills er-trainees learned to be conscious otherwise negative situation. It infused Institute (DA-ATI) serves as the Learning Sites. It will also Development Authority (TESDA) in about the insects that attack the pa- OPTIMISM into their well-being. With This was the gist of the dis- lead implementing agen- continue its School-On-the- Albay Province. To be implemented lay, and how to curb their damaging optimism the farmer-trainee opens cussion as the Rice Compet- cy. Other partner agencies Air program and information by the MA-DA Bustamante Family effects and technique in removing doors to himself leading to a happy itiveness Enhancement Fund are the Philippine Center for caravans. (RCEF) Rice Extension Service Postharvest Development and Farm, TESDA provided four batches aberrant palay stalks. The lectures on life. The RCEF training has ingrained in Program (RESP) component Mechanization (PhilMech), TESDA, PhilMech and PhilRice of TRaining on Production of High Rice Morphology, Palay Checks Wa- the farmer-trainees’ minds the motto, members met to assess its Philippine Rice Research Insti- reported their accomplished Quality Inbred Rice scholarship, with ter Saving Technology, Basic Financial “think only of the best, work only performance in 2020 and har- tute (PhilRice), and Technical activities. Landbank also 25 farmers in each batch. Seed, Certification Process, Crop Cut for the best, expect only the best.” monize the RCEF RESP plans Education and Skills Develop- shared its RCEF-related proj- Yield Component and Final Analysis Happy and contented, oozing with for 2021 during its biannual ment Authority (TESDA). ects. The RCEF training came at an oppor- completed their knowledge on scien- enthusiasm to proceed, they go back harmonization meeting held at tune time when the farmers of the tific rice farming. Rice specialists with to their respective rice fields with this ATI Compound, San Agustin, During the year-end meeting The farm schools namely expertise on the particular field/area, thought in mind, “Endeavor to make Pili, Camarines last November that was also participated by Palayamanon ni Tiyo Edgar of from PhilRice, APAO and ATI handled your farming better by implementing 24, 2020. Landbank and accredited Albay, Salvador Emeteria Farm the classes. the strategies you just learned in this farm schools, DA-ATI reported of Camarines Sur, Ocbian RCEF training.” Under Republic Act 11203 or that it has served more than Nature Farm of Sorsogon, and Rice Tariffication Law, the gov- 2,000 rice farmers through Rapsing Integrated Agricultur- ernment allots P1 billion every the training, school-on-the- al Learning Site of Masbate, Tio Tonyo, also a farmer-trainee now year for the RESP component air, information caravan, and also joined to share their best beams with smile on his face as he to enhance rice farmers’ ca- delivered more than 7.000 practices. They also served as enjoys watching with glee the RCEF pacities to become competi- information, education, and ATI’s Learning Sites. infused silver lining. Ramona Ines R. tive in rice production. communication (IEC) mate- Bustamante-Rañeses, LIB., PhD. rials. It also established and DA-ATI Assistant Director Vivi- The RESP intends to enhance supported eight RCEF Learning en Carable, who is also the the capabilities of the Rice Sites. Center’s RCEF Coordinator Fund beneficiaries on mod- presided over the event. “Your ernized inbred rice and seed Next year, DA-ATI Bicol plans presence here has furthered production and other relevant to roll out more training our resolve to have a com- skills for improved competi- for agriculture technicians mon and unified direction to tiveness and income, with the (Production of High-Quality achieve food security through following projects: Design and Inbred Rice and Seeds and a competitive rice sector,” Delivery of Training Programs, Farm Mechanization), seed she emphasized. Isagani C. Enterprise Development Assis- growers (Inbred Rice Seeds Valenzuela, Jr. tance and Communication Production, Certification, and

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