The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 in the Ilocos Region is strengthening extension services by enhancing the farm mechanization skills of its field personnel, equipping them to provide better technical support for farmer-beneficiaries using government-provided agricultural machinery.
As part of this effort, DA-SAAD personnel participated in the Hands-on Training and Seminar on the Operations and Maintenance of Farm Mechanization conducted by the DA-Regional Field Office I (DA-RFO I) through its Field Operations Division, in coordination with the Gender and Development (GAD) Unit, last July 2–3 at the DA–Ilocos Norte Research and Experiment Center (DA-INREC) in Dingras, Ilocos Norte.
The activity strengthened participants’ competencies in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting agricultural machinery—skills that support the Program’s farm mechanization interventions by helping ensure equipment distributed to farmer-beneficiaries remains functional, safe, and productive.
Representing the DA-SAAD Program were Operational Planning, Budget, Monitoring, and Evaluation (OPBME) Lead Lorena A. Olveña, OPBME Alternate Lead and Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) Lead Pamela M. Agngarayngay, Social Preparation and Program Management (SPPM) Lead Jerold E. Cabang, and Community Development Officer and Area Coordinator Engr. Joshua T. Peduca.
Olveña said strengthening the technical competencies of field personnel is essential to maximizing the benefits of farm mechanization interventions provided under the Program.
“This training strengthens our capacity to implement farm mechanization interventions more effectively and provide our beneficiaries with the technical support they need to maximize the equipment provided through the Program,” she said.
Peduca, who regularly works with SAAD-assisted farmer organizations, said the training will improve the quality of technical assistance provided in the field.
“The lessons from this training will allow us to better assist our farmer-beneficiaries in operating and maintaining their machinery, helping them use these technologies safely, efficiently, and sustainably,” he said.
The training featured discussions on irrigation management, occupational health and farm safety, post-harvest facilities, and the operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of farm engines. Resource speakers Engr. Rolly John P. Rubes, Project Assistant III, and Engr. Frank Ryo A. Posagao, Engineer II, also provided practical guidance on the proper use and maintenance of agricultural machinery.
Participants reinforced the lectures through hands-on demonstrations involving a forage chopper, grass cutter, multi-purpose cultivator, four-wheel drive tractor, and hand tractor.
During the practical sessions, Peduca served as one of the facilitators for the four-wheel drive tractor exercise, guiding participants on its safe and efficient operation. He has also conducted similar demonstrations for DA-SAAD farmer-beneficiaries during Program activities, helping strengthen their capacity to properly operate and maintain farm machinery provided through the Program.
The training forms part of DA-RFO I’s continuing efforts to strengthen the technical competencies of agricultural extension personnel, supporting more effective farm mechanization services and the sustainable use of government-supported agricultural machinery across farming communities. ###
