Fifty agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from the Del-Rosario-Carisac-San Agustin (Delcasa) Irrigators Association have successfully completed an intensive two-month training on the PalayCheck System.
The program, facilitated by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), aims to enhance climate resilience and improve rice production in Albay province.
DAR-Albay Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, Engr. Maria Eugenia M. Alteza, emphasized that the training equipped ARBs with sustainable farming strategies to increase yields and adapt to climate challenges.
“The sessions covered crucial topics such as seed quality and preparation, soil analysis and sampling techniques, crop establishment, nutrient and water management, and pest management, including pre- and post-harvest practices,” Alteza explained.
The training forms part of DAR’s Major Crops Rice Block Farm Productivity Enhancement initiative under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) component of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program (ARBDSP).
To further support the ARBs, DAR provided Php130,000 worth of farm tools, including urea fertilizers and rechargeable sprayers, to help farmers implement the newly learned practices.
Delcasa Irrigation Association Secretary Romulo De Lima expressed gratitude to DAR for their continued support in improving farming practices.
“The DAR has been a great help to us. We’ve been trained on selecting high-quality rice varieties, applying fertilizers and pesticides, and properly storing rice. These seminars have significantly enhanced our understanding of farming,” De Lima said.
He also noted that the skills and knowledge gained through the training have elevated the farmers’ expertise, enabling them to adopt more advanced and efficient practices.
The PalayCheck System, a key feature of the training, introduces best practices in the Rice Integrated Crop Management (RICM) System.
It highlights the interconnected factors affecting rice production while encouraging farmers to compare traditional methods with innovative approaches.
Through collaborative discussions, farmers can refine their techniques to improve productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability.
Despite the challenges posed by Typhoon Kristine, the Delcasa Irrigators Association remains optimistic about the future, armed with the knowledge and tools to enhance their rice farming efforts.