Isandra Pernitez, a former social worker from Lanao del Norte, has made a career shift to agriculture, becoming a farm trainer under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF RESP). 

With a background in assisting typhoon victims through various non-governmental organizations, Pernitez has now channeled her skills into empowering rice farmers and promoting agricultural development.

Pernitez discovered her passion for rice farming in 2022 while working with local farmers. She transitioned to managing a farm school in Barangay Linamon, where she, along with her mother, launched the school’s first Farmer Field School (FFS) focused on high-quality inbred rice, seed certification, and farm mechanization.

“Applying my social work skills in agriculture has been incredibly fulfilling. Being able to communicate effectively and understand the diverse needs of farmers has allowed me to tailor our training programs to address their specific challenges,” Pernitez shared.

Despite holding a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and initially lacking agricultural expertise, Pernitez embraced the new field by participating in several RCEF training courses. Among these, the RCEF Rice Specialists’ Training Course (RSTC) was particularly impactful, providing her with advanced insights into nutrient management and effective training methodologies.

“The RSTC was transformative for me. It gave me a deeper understanding of agricultural practices and taught me how to present complex information to farmers in an engaging and practical manner. This training, combined with my social work background, has been essential in my role as a farm school trainer,” Pernitez said.

Since completing the RSTC in March 2024, Pernitez has successfully trained two batches of FFS participants. She aims to inspire and educate young farmers, promoting sustainable practices within the rice farming community.

“My mission is to encourage more young people to enter rice farming. By fostering continuous learning and skill development, we can build a stronger foundation for the future of agriculture,” she said.

The RCEF RESP is a component of Republic Act 11203, also known as the Rice Tariffication Law, which allocates P10 billion annually to support rice farmers. Sponsored by Senator Cynthia Villar, the program is a six-year government initiative designed to help farmers compete in the international rice market, with implementation support from local government units and lawmakers.

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Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is a government corporate entity attached to the Department of Agriculture created through Executive Order 1061 on 5 November 1985 (as amended) to help develop high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos.

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Philippine Rice Research Institute