ATI in Zamboanga Peninsula

05/09/2026

| Farmer-Level Training on Coconut–Cassava Farming System Batch 1

The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center IX, in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority-Basilan, successfully conducted the Farmer-Level Training on Coconut–Cassava Farming System Batch 1 on September 2–4, 2026, at Barangay Baungos, Lamitan City, Province of Basilan.

The training aimed to enhance the knowledge and technical skills of coconut farmers in adopting the coconut–cassava farming system as a sustainable and diversified farm enterprise.

Pool of resource persons came from MAFAR-Basilan. Norazane K. Kalantungan, MAFAR Municipal Officer of Tuburan Municipality, discussed the Introduction to Coconut–Cassava Farming System, Site Assessment and Land Preparation, Selection of Quality Planting Materials, and Planting Techniques and Farm Establishment. Meanwhile, Ms. Nuriya D. Fernandez, MAFAR Municipal Officer of Lamitan City, discussed Nutrient Management, Water Management and Cultural Practices, Pest and Disease Management, and Harvesting and Postharvest Handling. Through these comprehensive discussions, farmers gained valuable knowledge on establishing and managing a productive coconut–cassava farming system.

05/09/2026

| 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐔𝐓 𝐏𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐑-𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋 (𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝟏)

A total of 33 coconut farmers successfully completed the Training on Coconut Pest and Disease Management for Farmer-level (Batch 1), conducted on September 1-3, 2026, in Barangay Lumad, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. The participants equipped with technical knowledge and skills in identifying, preventing, and managing major coconut pests and diseases using integrated, sustainable, and climate-resilient approaches applicable.

03/09/2026

| 3rd Quarterly Regional Inter-Agency Technical Committee (RIATC)

ATI-RTC IX spearheaded the 3rd Quarterly Regional Inter-Agency Technical Committee (RIATC) Meeting on September 3, 2026, at Mibang Hotel, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The meeting brought together the different implementing agencies of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) to strengthen coordination and collaboration in implementing their respective programs and activities. It also served as an opportunity for the agencies to share updates, discuss concerns, and explore ways to work together more effectively.

During the meeting, each implementing agencies presented their accomplishments and the status of their interventions based on their respective mandates under CFIDP.

The discussions provided an opportunity to identify progress, challenges, and areas that need further coordination. Through the exchange of updates and experiences, the agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working together to ensure the effective implementation of CFIDP interventions and better support for coconut farmers.

03/09/2026

Our team is ready and the learning journey is about to begin! 🤗

Granted with 66.5 CPD Points for Licensed Agriculturists and 15 CPD Points for Agricultural Biosystems Engineers (ABEs), ATI ZamPen (in coordination with DA-RFO IX) is all set to conduct the Expanded Basic Agricultural Extension Course (EBAEC) Batch II scheduled September 7, 2026 to October 16, 2026 at Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Thirty (30) DA-RFO IX Personnel shall undergo this 30-day training to level up their competencies in delivering a more responsive and effective extension services to our farmers and fisherfolk.

Meet our ATI-RTC IX Resource Persons for this EBAEC batch. 🌸

03/09/2026

02/09/2026

| Courage

This week’s values focused on Courage which Ms. Dinah Jane Gaston emphasized that as government employees, courage means having the strength to do what is right, even when it is difficult.

Our work carries a responsibility to serve the public with honesty, fairness, and dedication. There may be times when we face pressure, challenges, or difficult decisions, but courage reminds us to stand for what is right and uphold the principles of public service.

01/09/2026

Good day mga ka-Agri! Here is this week's training schedule. 🌾💚

01/09/2026

📢 CALL FOR APPLICANTS
Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture (YIPOA)

The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center IX (ATI-RTC IX) is now accepting applications for the Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture (YIPOA).

YIPOA is a flagship program that empowers young Filipinos to become future organic agriculture entrepreneurs through intensive training, hands-on farm immersion, mentorship, and enterprise development. It aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to establish and sustain their own organic agriculture enterprises.

What the Program Offers

The program is a 21-month internship consisting farm immersion, enterprise establishment, and continuous mentoring. Qualified interns and farm partners will benefit from the following:

✅ Monthly allowances for interns throughout the 21-month internship period and for farm partners during the first nine (9) months of the program.

✅ Start-up capital to qualified interns upon successful completion of the nine-month farm internship to help establish their organic agriculture enterprise.

✅ Continuing technical assistance and mentoring from accredited farm partners for at least twelve (12) months during enterprise implementation.

✅ Post-internship support funds to strengthen and sustain the interns' organic agriculture enterprises.

A. Qualifications for Youth Trainees

Applicants must:
1. Be a Filipino citizen, 18 to 35 years old at the time of application;
2. Be physically and mentally fit to undergo the internship;
3. Be an Out-of-School Youth (OSY) or a college graduate;
4. Have a strong interest and willingness to engage in an organic agriculture enterprise;
5. Have an initial Business/Enterprise Plan (BEP);
6. Have an available area where the proposed organic agriculture enterprise can be established; and
7. Be willing to be assigned to an accredited organic farm partner within the region.

B. Qualifications for Farm Partners

Farm partners must:
1. Be practicing an organic farming system;
2. Be willing to mentor youth interns for the entire 21-month program;
3. Be willing to inspect and validate the proposed farm sites of interns;
4. Have decent accommodation facilities for at least two (2) interns;
5. Be willing to provide simple meals to interns during the nine-month farm internship;
6. Conduct at least quarterly visits to the interns' farms during enterprise implementation; and
7. Undertake monthly monitoring of the interns' enterprises during the implementation period.

📩 How to Apply
Interested applicants may submit their complete application documents addressed to:

GERRY R. PAGARIGAN, DVM
OIC-Center Director
Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center IX
Balintawak, Pagadian City

You may also submit your application via email at: [email protected]

📌 Documentary requirements for youth trainees and farm partners are provided in this link https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kVw7lE8fpKnCgtZbcYAPJUETEHSSsAXB?usp=sharing

Be part of the next generation of organic agriculture champions. Apply now and turn your passion for farming into a sustainable enterprise through YIPOA!

29/08/2026

| Malampusong gipahigayon sa Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center IX (ATI-RTC IX), inubanan sa National Irrigation Administration IX (NIA IX) ug Department of Agriculture – RFO IX pinaagi sa Farmer and Fisherfolk Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, ang Capability Enhancement Training on Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach alang sa mga Farmer Leaders Batch 6 sa Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Tumong sa maong kalihokan nga mapalambo ang kapasidad sa 34 ka farmer leaders pinaagi sa pagpalig-on sa ilang kahibalo, kahanas, ug kapasidad sa pagpangulo aron mas mapauswag ang malungtaron ug market-oriented nga mga rice enterprise gamit ang Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach.

29/08/2026

| DIGITAL FARMERS PROGRAM BATCH 2 🌾✅

ATI-RTC IX successfully conducted the Digital Farmers Program FarmTech Package Batch 2 on August 24-28, 2026 at Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The main highlight of the training was the DRONE4RICE demonstration which took place at Salam Nature’s Farm.