BAGO CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — In a united effort to strengthen community-based farming and sustainable agriculture, Malium Organic Village Association (MOVA), Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE), Central Philippines State University (CPSU) gathered for a planning meeting at Brgy. Mailum, Bago City.

 Held on May 3, 2025, the meeting focused on the preparations for the second cropping season under the Farmer Field School (FFS) and was spearheaded by MOVA Chairperson, Ms. Maria Gina P. Banowski, emphasized the importance of collaborative work and continuous learning among farmer groups.

 Present in the meeting were SEARICE program officer for Visayas Ms. Olive Seruelo and CPSU’s Product and Enterprise Development Office (PEDO) Director, Dr. Maryvic P. Pedrosa; and the College of Agriculture and Forestry Dean, Dr. Hanzel L. Pedrosa; with CPSU Personnel Mr. Arnel T. Calago, and Mr. Albert Piera.

 Ms. Banowski led the discussion toward actionable and inclusive plans for the upcoming season.

 A key highlight was an experience-sharing session led by Amelia Vilbar, a farmer-participant who had recently attended a SEARICE-organized regional workshop who shared valuable insights on participatory plant breeding and the role of farmers in conserving traditional seed varieties, inspiring fellow farmers to take an active role in research and development efforts

 Furthermore, the meeting covered a wide range of topics including activity planning for the second cropping season, crop assignment among farmer groups, and the reaffirmation of goals set during the first cycle.

 Special focus was also given to breeding initiatives led by farmers themselves—an approach that empowers local agricultural producers to develop and select crop varieties which best suited their local topographical and meteorological conditions.

 By the end of the meeting, participants expressed a strong sense of shared commitment and recognized the need to continue building on the momentum of their previous successes while strengthening their collaboration with institutions like CPSU and SEARICE.

 This meeting was more than just a step in seasonal planning; it signified a growing movement toward inclusive, knowledge-driven agriculture where farmers are not just implementers, but innovators and leaders.