Six batches composed of 150 farmers from the Municipality of Sibalom will be trained on the production of high-quality inbred rice seeds and farm mechanization for increased production and reduced labor cost.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) accredited training center, Uswag Durog Rivergems Farm, started the Training Induction Program (TIP) for the first batch on Friday.

“There are six batches composed of 25 farmers per batch who had been oriented about the program,” said farm president Rhea Dacallo in an interview.

The farmers were from Barangays Catungan 3, Insarayan, Pis-anan, Tula-tula, Calooy and Bulalacao, Valentin Grasparil, Lambayagan and Luyang who will undergo the training once a week for 17 days that will be handled by 35 trainers.

The farmers will be allowed to operate the walk-behind transplanter and the four-wheeled tractor.

The National Food Authority will orient them about its services and available equipment they could access in this capital town.

Further, they will undergo entrepreneurship training.

While in training, farmers will have a weekly allowance of PHP160 each and one-time load of PHP500 and another PHP500 for their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). (PNA)