Farmer-Scientists RDE Training Program

05/10/2026

Three years after completing the FSTP season-long training in the Municipality of Sibalom, Antique, the FSTP-UPLB team conducted a post-training evaluation of the farmer-scientist teachers and Phase I barangay-level graduates on September 29-30, 2026.

A total of 20 farmer-scientists, consisting of five farmer-scientist teachers and 15 farmer-scientists from Phase I barangay-level, were interviewed and visited on their farms.

Our sincerest gratitude to the Municipal Agriculture Office, headed by Municipal Agriculturist Albert G. Estoya, and his staff, Ms. Apple Solis-Cresensio, for their valuable assistance and support during the two-day activity.

05/10/2026

🌽 FROM FARMERS TO FARMER-SCIENTISTS: GROWING KNOWLEDGE, HARVESTING SUCCESS! 🌱

The Farmer-Scientist Training Program (FSTP) Phase III Graduation Program in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte celebrates another milestone in empowering farmers through science-based agriculture.

With 28 Farmer-Scientist Teachers (FSTs) and 12 Farmer-Scientists (FSs) from the barangay level have demonstrated that farming is not only about producing food—it is also about learning, sharing, innovating, and inspiring others.

Through hands-on field experiments, technology demonstrations, and knowledge-sharing activities, the graduates have gained practical skills that they can bring back to their farms and share with fellow farmers in their communities.

Our sincere appreciation goes to ATI-RTC XIII, our Lead Partner Agency, headed by Dir. Noeme Beth G. Macario, Center Director, ATI-RTC XIII, Engr. Neil Capin, ATI-FSTP Focal Person, and Mr. Neptali Madarimot, ATI-Alternate Focal Person, for the invaluable support and commitment to strengthening farmer capacity through science and technology.

We also extend our gratitude to LGU-Kitcharao, headed by Hon. Jenry Montante, Mayor of Kitcharao, for its continued support and partnership in bringing the FSTP closer to the farming communities.

Our heartfelt thanks as well to the Municipal Agriculture Office, headed by Dr. Raul Del Agua, for the dedication and assistance extended throughout the implementation of the program.

Special appreciation goes to our hardworking Agricultural Technologist, Ma'am Jocelyn Paloma, and Ms. Ana Grade Mantilla, for their hands-on support, coordination, and commitment to the successful implementation of FSTP activities in Kitcharao.

To our Farmer-Scientist Teachers and Farmer-Scientists, congratulations! 🎓🌽

"Ang inyong paglalakbay ay patunay na kapag ang mga magsasaka ay nabibigyan ng tamang kaalaman, kagamitan, at mga oportunidad, maaari silang maging mga g**o, mga innovator, at mga tagapagtaguyod ng positibong pagbabago sa kanilang sariling mga komunidad".

Nawa’y patuloy kayong mangalap ng kaalaman at ibahagi ito sa iba, upang makahikayat at makahubog pa ng mas maraming magsasaka at makatulong sa pagpapalakas ng agrikultura sa Kitcharao at sa mga karatig na komunidad.

🌱 WE GATHER KNOWLEDGE TO SCATTER. 🌱

Padayon, Farmer-Scientists! Your knowledge is your harvest—and sharing it is your greatest contribution to the farming community. 🌾

03/10/2026

A new chapter in began on October 2, 2026, at the Brgy. San Lorenzo Barangay Hall, marking the formal start of Phase III in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte.

The pioneer batch from Brgy. Santa Rosa now serving as farmer-scientist teachers returns for Phase III, to be joined by new participants from Brgy. San Lorenzo and Brgy. San Miguel, as the program continues to expand its reach and strengthen farmer-to-farmer learning.

18/09/2026

On September 16, 2026, the FSTP-UPLB team successfully monitored and evaluated the ongoing FSTP Phase III implementation in the Municipality of Madalag, Aklan. A total of nine FS teachers and 15 farmer-participants were present during the activity.

In this phase, the FS teachers share their knowledge and expertise by teaching fellow farmers how to generate and develop farming technologies based on their experiences during Phases I and II.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all our partner agencies, especially the ATI-RTC VI and the Municipal Agriculture Office of Madalag, headed by Ms. Marriane N. Padalhin, Municipal Agriculturist, assisted with her staff Ms. Ilyn Narral and Ms. Chrislyn Ibisate for their continued support of the program.

08/09/2026

Phase 3 Monitoring Activity | Famy, Laguna

On September 3, 2026, the Phase 3 monitoring activity in Famy, Laguna assessed the progress of farmer-scientists’ experimental plots and field trials.

Farmer-scientists shared updates on crop performance, field observations, and lessons learned, demonstrating their continued role as Farmer-Scientist Teachers in sharing practical knowledge and improved farming practices with fellow farmers. 👩‍🌾👨‍🌾🌾

Strengthening farmer-led innovation through learning and knowledge sharing.

31/08/2026

Ngayong araw, binibigyang-pugay natin ang mga magigiting na bayaning Pilipino noon at ngayon. ✊

Mamayani nawa sa atin ang diwa ng paglilingkod sa bayan na kanilang ipinamana. 🇵🇭

26/08/2026

PLANTING THE SEEDS OF KNOWLEDGE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

The UPLB FSTP Team, in collaboration with Mary Help of Christian School (MHCS), successfully conducted an FSTP Training as part of the project implementation on August 10–13, 2026, at the MHCS compound in Barangay Parang, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

The training was attended by 37 youth participants from Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, together with MHCS staff and facilitators. It highlighted various good agricultural practices and technologies in corn production as well as demonstrations on soil analysis using the Soil Test Kit (STK) and fertilizer computation.

The event also served as an avenue for planning future program-related activities aimed at expanding the FSTP initiative to more communities across Mindoro Island. More importantly, the training sought to equip the youth participants with knowledge and skills in sustainable corn production practices and technologies, while encouraging them to become teachers and sharers of knowledge within their families and communities.

The activity was co-organized with Mary Help of Christian School (MHCS), our valued partner school in program implementation. The FSTP program was adopted and funded by MHCS through the TESDA regular program. We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to MHCS Directress Sr. Grelyn Cruzat, FMA; Technical Directress Sr. Ravena Dominguez; and the entire MHCS staff for their invaluable support and efforts in making this activity fruitful and productive.

07/08/2026

𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙩𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙣 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙨𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙡𝙖 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙡𝙖𝙙 𝙣𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙠𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙠𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖! 🌾🤝

Noong Agosto 4–5, 2026, matagumpay na isinagawa ng FSTP-UPLB team, kasama sina G. Felix P. Tuico Jr. at Bb. Jessa Rose Cabrales ng ATI RTC-IX, ang monitoring at evaluation ng kasalukuyang FSTP Phase III Training sa Bayan ng Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Dinaluhan ito ng 40 magsasakang kalahok mula sa Phase I-barangay level at 21 Farmer-Scientist teachers mula sa mga Barangay ng Sulo at Tambanan, na patuloy na nagpapakita ng kanilang dedikasyon sa pagpapalawak ng kaalaman at kasanayan sa agrikultura.

Taos-puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa aming mga katuwang na ahensya sa kanilang patuloy at matibay na suporta sa programa. Lalo na sa Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center IX (ATI-RTC IX), sa pangunguna ni Center Director Dr. Gerry R. Pagarigan, at sa Municipal Agriculture Office ng Naga, sa pangunguna ng kanilang masisipag na kawani, lalo na kay Ms. Ofelia G. Elogsong.

Maraming salamat sa inyong patuloy na pakikiisa sa pagsusulong ng mas produktibo, matatag, at napapanatiling agrikultura para sa ating mga komunidad! 🌱💚

30/07/2026

👨🏼‍🌾 Isang karangalan para sa FSTP! Binabati namin si National Scientist Dr. Romulo G. Davide, National Program Leader ng FSTP, sa kanyang pagkakapabilang sa 2026 Asian Scientist List. Patuloy na nagbibigay-inspirasyon ang kanyang pamumuno at paglilingkod para mga magsasakang Pilipino. 🌾

Out of six Filipino researchers honored in the 2026 Asian Scientist 100 List released by the Asian Scientist Magazine on May 30, 2026, two are alums of

29/07/2026

Bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng UP Public Service Day, tampok ang iba’t ibang inisyatiba ng UPLB, kabilang ang Farmer-Scientists Training Program (FSTP), na patuloy na nagbibigay-kapangyarihan sa ating mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng agham, teknolohiya, at sama-samang pagkilos para sa kaunlaran.

📖 Basahin ang buong artikulo:

UPLB joined synchronous celebrations for this year’s UP Public Service Day on June 18, 2026. Various public service initiatives and activities were held