National Corn-based Farmer Scientists Research, Development and Extension Training Program (FSTP) under Executive Order 710:2020 annual report (January-December)

Even with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Crop-based Farmer-Scientist RDE Training Program (FSTP) remains steadfast in fulfilling its mission to liberate poor farmers from the bondage of poverty and hunger. Despite the imposition of community quarantines and travel restrictions beginning March 2020, the Program had continuously reached out to farmers for them to continue gaining knowledge in the scientific way of farming. The importance of the agriculture sector was once again highlighted during the pandemic. Hence, empowering the famers in knowledge, attitude, and skills must not cease. FSTP, since its proclamation as Executive Order 710 in 2008, has provided small farmers from impoverished areas a direct training contact with agricultural experts and scientists. Through this, farmers gain technical and scientific knowledge to significantly improve their farm productivity and their socio-economic status. For the whole duration of the program under EO 710, FSTP has covered a total of 112 municipalities in 50 provinces from Regions 1 to 13. In 2020, 15 new project sites were launched in different provinces with six in Luzon, two in Visayas and seven in Mindanao. New provincial sites include: Abra; La Union; Nueva Vizcaya; Palawan; Biliran and Northern Samar. To realize more site expansions in 2020 and incoming years, the Regions 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 8, 10, and 12 underwent Training of Trainers (TOT) to develop the technical and management capabilities of the partner-agencies, especially the provincial and municipal LGUs, SCUs, GOs and NGOs. During the community lockdowns, FSTP used distance learning platforms and video learning materials to continue to provide resources to and engage the farmers who are undergoing the training program nationwide. As for the trained farmer-scientists in 2020, a total of 357 farmer-scientists graduated in Phase 1 including the Phase 1 barangay-level the adopt a barangay components of FSTP. In Phase 2, a total of 12 farmer-scientists managed to conduct their own-farm trials and received their certificate of achievement. Lastly, in Phase 3, a total of 108 farmers became farmer-scientists teachers who shared their required knowledge to their respective communities. This is fewer compared to the previous years, but in the first quarter of 2021, their numbers will be beefed up with the graduation of around 400 FSTP-trained farmers.