SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ - 22 Farmers and cooperative members in La Paz underwent training during the “Lakbay-AgriATM at La Paz” held on June 15, 2022 at Sitio Control, Brgy. San Roque, La Paz, Tarlac.

The training was part of the three-day activity in the province of Tarlac, of the CHED-NAFES funded program, Agri Aral Tekno Mobil or AgriATM, to capacitate farmers and their families in goat, tilapia, mushroom, and organic vegetable production, as an alternative to rice production.

Before the program started, the AgriATM team went to the Municipal Agriculture Office first thing in the morning for a courtesy call with the Municipal Agriculture Officer (MAO), Mr. Noel C. Regis. He said that since the pandemic struck the country, agencies limit themselves in facilitating training in their area because of the COVID-19 restrictions and protocols. He expressed his gratitude to the AgriATM team because of its efforts to facilitate training even amid a pandemic.

Dr. Cynthia C. Divina, AgriATM Project leader, formally started the program by delivering opening remarks. She thanked the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) for its undying support as a collaborator and focal agency for the said event, and also to the LGU-La Paz for permitting them to conduct the 2^nd leg of the Lakbay-AgriATM in Tarlac.

Mr. Jojie Cabatic, Communications Development Officer, Department of Extension and Training of Tarlac Agricultural University, on the other hand, also expressed his gratitude to the participants of the said event for their utmost participation to make this activity smooth and possible.

Even in a muddy and remote setting, the AgriATM team did not hinder delivering timely extension modular training and expert assistance in agriculture, like in Sitio Control’s far-flung area.

Together with the experts from CLSU Department of Information Technology: Ms. Gemlyn Inocencio and Ms. Genalyn Sebbey; and the Department of Communication and Development Studies: Ms. Maria Bernadeth Paguio, they provided technical services for the program able to run smoothly.

The lecture proper started with a short course introduction by Mr. Johnah Jefferson Mercado, the organic production expert of AgriATM. He discussed and presented various audio-visual presentations about the importance of organic farming and its concoctions for vegetation restoration and alleviating environmental degradation.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bismark Francisco, the mushroom production expert, shared his knowledge and learnings on how to produce mushroom spawns and strategies on how to market their mushroom harvests to possible buyers.

 “Gusto ko pang madagdagan ang kaalaman ko sa paghahalaman at pag-aalaga ng mga hayop at pag-iisda, kaya po nag-enroll ako uli…” said Arceli Inocencio, one of the participants. She also added that she always participates whenever the Local Agriculture Office of La Paz conducts training and seminars related to agriculture.

“Maraming-maraming salamat po sa AgriATM at CLSU dahil po sa pagbibigay ng kaalaman na makakatulong para sa aming paghahalaman at para sa aming pang-kabuhayan. Salamat, Team CLSU!”, participant Alex Inocencio, husband of Arceli, expressed his gratitude to the team.