The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) has partnered with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the establishment of farm schools across the country.
The two agencies have partnered for the establishment of Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Farm in School in the Mimaropa region.
“There are currently other farm schools in the Philippines under Tesda and the DA’s supervision,” Tesda noted.
It added that Tesda Director General Guiling Mamondiong has directed all Tesda regional and provincial directors nationwide to promote farm schools in their areas to increase the number of enrollees.
Meanwhile, Tesda shared that the groundbreaking ceremony of the ATI Dormitory in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, recently was attended by Sen. Cynthia A. Villar.
“The senator highlighted that food security is among the major issues that need to be addressed. Thus, she has worked with Tesda to promote training institutions for farmers,” the agency said.
According to Tesda, Villar noted that farm schools not only serve as a venue for farmers to learn the various techniques in production, but will also enable them to learn how to manage their farms more effectively.
The farm schools under the supervision of Tesda and the DA were based on the Farm Field Schools developed by the UN Food Agriculture Organization.
“Farm schools aim to help farmers become more competitive, and also to enable them to take advantage of the market opportunities,” Tesda noted.
Likewise, Mamondiong said the agency hoped that the agency’s farm schools would increase awareness on fishing and farming, and eventually help farmers earn more.