Twenty-five rice farmers in the town of Las Nieves in Agusan del Norte have started a four-month organic rice production training course under the locality’s Farming Field School program.

In an interview Thursday, Las Nieves Mayor Karen Rosales said the first batch of rice farmers to undergo the training are from Sitio Bokbokon, Barangay Lawan-Lawan.

The training, which began Wednesday, aims to hone the knowledge and skills of the town’s rice farmers in producing quality organic rice.

“Our first objective in this endeavor is to ensure food security and sufficiency in our town,” Rosales said.

The program, she said, will also help rice farmers in the town to augment their income through increased farm productivity.

The 25 farmers will also be trained in making organic fertilizer as a major component in organic rice production.

“All expenses, including the support for food for the 25 rice farmers for four months, will be shouldered by the local government,” Rosales said.

After four months, another batch of rice farmers from the other barangays in the town will also undergo the same training, she said. (PNA)