LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – This year’s 7th Joint Regional Farmers’ Technology Forum and Agri-Clinic was successfully conducted where farmers cooperators, Magsasakang Siyentista, learning sites on agriculture (LSA), Community Urban Agriculture Model Farm (CUAMF), private agri-fishery extension service providers (PAF-ESP), farm family model cooperators in CAR, and Agriculture and Fishery Network Resources (AFNR) researchers and extension workers convened on November 16, 2023 at the Agricultural Training Institute-Cordillera Administrative Region (ATI-CAR), La Trinidad, Benguet.
“As we embark on this journey of shared learning and collaboration, let us seize the opportunities presented by this forum to cultivate a future of sustainable and thriving agriculture in our beloved Cordillera,” said Dr. Arlene M. Sagayo, OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations of the Cordillera office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-CAR) in her message.
Researches on community-based participatory action research, climate smart agriculture, and alternative control for pest and diseases were presented in the morning. In the afternoon session, the participants actively participated in the agri-clinic. The resource persons were from the Benguet State University, Cordillera Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development (CorCAARRD), DA-CAR, DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the provincial government. Meanwhile, the agri-clinic provided expert services and advisers for the farmers on cropping practices, technology dissemination, crop protection from pests and diseases, market trends and prices of various crops, including clinical services for animal health that would enhance productivity.
The diverse participation of various stakeholders of the AFNR research and extension sectors helped facilitate the exchange of knowledge, practices, and expertise among the participants following the “tongtongan” concept.
In her closing message, Ms. Christine Grace S. Fuchigami, SciCom Cluster Coordinator, underscored the continuous collaboration of the ATI-CAR, CorCAARRD, and the DA-CAR in bringing a venue where farmers can share their best practices, discuss concerns and possible solutions in the agriculture and fishery sector.
This year is the jumpstart of collaboration of ATI-CAR, CorCAARRD, and DA-CAR with its to-be-established network, CoRRDEN in the conduct of Farmer’s Forum and/ or other collaborative endeavors. By Javier A. Galac
