Agri-Pinoy conducts TOT in Surigao Sur

Kansilad Beach Resort, Lianga, Surigao del Sur - A total of 45 participants completed the 3-day Training of Trainers (TOT) on Agri-Pinoy Program  conducted on October 26-28, 2010. Graduates from this training will compose the Municipal Training Teams for the different LGUs of the province of Surigao del Sur. Comprising of agricultural extension workers, information officers and teachers, the group listened to the different resource persons discuss topics on the framework and objectives of Agri-Pinoy, LIKASAKA-a natural way of farming, rice & corn seeds production technologies, seed banking, and Gulayan sa Paaralan using Natural Technology. Completing the course was a participatory discussion on how to become a good trainer, facilitated by ATI Caraga Director, Dr. Nenita Sumile. Agri-Pinoy was presented by Ms. Rebecca Atega, Head of DA-RAFID 13 & Regional Agri-Pinoy Focal Person, while LIKASAKA was discussed by Mr. Jimmy Geronimo, Executive Director of PAKISAMA, a NGO based in Caraga Region. Agri-Pinoy focuses on primary agricultural commodities anchored on a framework of sustainable agriculture using LIKASAKA. Topics ranging on how to make farming more profitable to farmers by producing their own seeds and organic fertilizers and increasing awareness and appreciation about agriculture among students were also presented by the Provincial Training Team from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (see webbox at right onAgri-Pinoy for slide presentation).  The municipal training teams formulated and presented their respective action plans for 2011 on how to bring about the Agri-Pinoy Program to the grassroots.

Newly appointed DA Caraga Regional Executive Director Reinerio Belarmino, Jr., Surigao del Sur Provincial Agriculturist Marcos M. Quico and Assistant PA Esmeraldo Odtohan graced the occasion.