The School for Practical Agriculture (SPA)

An exceptionally performing Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) based on an evaluation

to be undertaken will be up-scaled to SPA and will be developed further by the ATI.
That is, the farm/agri-products/by-products enterprise shall be further enhanced with
basic training facilities and the owner shall be trained further for competence.

In effect, the SPA shall become a "training center in the field" to complement the ATI in
the delivery of training and extension services to the clientele.

A. ADDED FEATURES

The SPA shall carry the general features of a LSA being such initially, but shall have the
following as added features:

 The SPA farmer/farm family shall be referred to as "farmer-trainer"; the agri-

products/byproducts processor as "processor-trainer."
 The integrated farm (either crop-based, livestock based or fishery-based) is
enhanced with additional commodities and/or increased area or the specialized
commodity farm is enhanced with increased area or has become integrated, both
showcasing the best cultural management and science-based practices; the agri-
products/by-products enterprise expanded or upgraded from single product to
multi-product processing showcasing practical but scientific processing
techniques.
 The farm activities cover production to successful marketing; the processing
enterprise activities cover processing to packaging and successful marketing as
well.
 In addition to the basic demo farm/processing facilities, shall have functional
facilities needed to undertake live-in training & extension activities such as a
modest lodging facility,toilet and bath, classroom with training equipment.
 Components of the SPA:
Training. Training shall be undertaken at the site by the farmer-
trainer/processor-trainer employing hands-on method with the farm/processing
enterprise as the practicum area.
Demonstration Services. Method and result demonstrations will be undertaken.
Information Support. Information communication materials such as leaflets,
flyers, handouts and other visual materials shall be distributed by the SPA to its
clients. These may be acquired from the ATI.
Technical Assistance. Technical information and guidance shall be provided by
the farmer trainer/processor-trainer in addition to the training and information
support.
Complementary Projects. Projects, such as processing center, marketing outlet
or onestop-shop may be set-up as additional features and income source and in
preparation to becoming a Farm Tourism Site for accreditation by the DOT.
B. ADDED FUNCTION

The SPA will still continue the functions of a LSA. In addition, it shall serve as:

 an alternative or complementary training venue for ATI's training interventions

particularly for agricultural skills and/or processing skills development training
courses that require hands-on methodologies on a live-in arrangement;
 a model to showcase the development of an ordinary farm to an agribusiness
farm which would redound to increased farm income, proving agriculture as
viable and productive livelihood and source of income/a model to showcase the
benefits of value-adding through processing; and
 source of training and the other extension services in the field such as farm
business advisory services, information support and technology demonstration.

C. PROCEDURE IN THE SELECTION AND ESTABLISHMENT

1. Selection Criteria

       1.1  From LSA to SPA. For LSA to be up-scaled to SPA, the following criteria shall
be considered:

                a. Should have been LSA for at least one (1) year

                b. Track record of exceptional performance as LSA

                     To establish track record and exceptional performance, the ATI will review
the monitoring reports and accomplishment reports submitted.

                      ▪ For the Farm:

                             ○ continues practice of integrated farming system/the specialized

farm practices should have been enhanced;

                             ○ farm activities continues to cover production to marketing;

                             ○ preferably, the farm should be at least 1,000 sqm;

                      ▪ For the Agri-Products/By-Products Enterprise:

                             ○ the processing facilities improved/upgraded

                             ○ processing techniques and skills of the owner upgraded

                             ○ processed products diversified and volume of production increased

                      ▪ Sustained number of clientele served

                      ▪ Other accomplishments and pertinent information

                c. Willing to counterpart in the enhancement of facilities for SPA

                d. Owner willing to conduct training and extension activities in the community

                e. Preferably with potentials to become a Farm Tourism Site for accreditation
by the DOT

       1.2  In exceptional cases and if meritorious, farm/processing enterprise owners can
apply directly to become SPA without passing through the LSA stage provided they
meet the criteria and standards set for both LSAs and SPAs.

2. Ocular Inspection/Field Validation. An ocular inspection will be undertaken to

determine if the criteria set is fulfilled using the "SPA Acceptance Evaluation Form".

3. Recommendation for Up-scaling to SPA. After the review of track record and
ocular inspection, a recommendation report will be prepared by the concerned ATI focal
person to serve as justification for the up-scaling. Such report shall contain the updated
Farm Profile, the accomplishments as LSA, evaluation results, and other pertinent
information.

4. Orientation of the Prospective SPA. The prospective SPA owner will be oriented
on the SPA features and responsibilities for his/her/their decision to accept or decline. If
accepts, to become SPA, the owner signs the "Acceptance to Become SPA Form".

5. SPA Development Plan Preparation. Upon acceptance to become SPA, the owner
will prepare and submit the development plan to enhance the site towards becoming an
SPA. Such development plan may include the following:

 further farm lot/processing enterprise improvement/enhancement

 provision of additional basic farm tools and machineries/processing facilities for
processors
 provision of basic farm inputs/processing materials
 setting-up of low cost mini/modest training facilities: classroom for 15-25
participant capacity (about 50 sqm); sleeping quarters for 15-25 participants;
toilet and bath; training equipment
 complementary projects such as one-stop shop or marketing outlet and other
tourist features

6. Execution of Memorandum of Agreement. On approval of the development plan

the "Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for SPA Establishment" between ATI and the
SPA owner will be executed to formalize the partnership with the approved development
plan as attachment.
7. Issuance of SPA Certificate and Signage. SPA Certificate and Farm Signage will
be issued by the ATI Central Office. The signage shall contain the ATI logo and
LSA/SPA logo among others.

8. Registration with Appropriate Agencies. To be legitimate, the SPA shall register

with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

D. RESPONSIBILITIES

The Farmer/Farm Family/Agri-Products/By-Products Processor

1. Prepare development plan for the up-scaling to SPA

2. Provide counterpart in the development of the SPA
3. Implement the development plan as approved and complete such on the agreed
time frame
4. Update the ATI on the status of implementation of the development plan regularly
and submit a completion report after
5. Continue to practice science-based diversified and integrated farming
system/practical but scientific agri-products & by-products processing
6. Continue to orient field visit groups arranged by the ATI
7. Train participants, scholarship grantees, 4-H youth trainees arranged by the ATI
on a live-in arrangement
8. SPA farmer turned agri-preneurs,
 shall adopt small farmers who eventually will become their partners in
agribusiness.
 using "buy-back" scheme, act as consolidator of farm products of
smailfarmers at
fair and reasonable prices.
9. Continue to document technologies developed/used.
10. Continue to attend ATI-required capability building interventions.
11. Continue to maintain records: production and sales data, technologies
developed/shared, farm activities/processing enterprise activities
undertaken,visitors and trainees served, other relevant accomplishments.
12. Continue to submit quarterly accomplishment report to ATI.
13. Sustain operation of the SPA for at least five (5) years.

The ATI

1. Conduct ocular inspection of the site

2. Assist the SPA in the formulation of development plan for further improvement
based on the monitoring and evaluation results by the ATI and by providing the
parameters
3. Evaluate and approve the development plan
4. Provide assistance in cash, in kind or a combination of both cash and kind based
on the approved SPA development plan, the amount of which shall not exceed
the authorized amount indicated in the guidelines
5. Monitor the implementation of the development plan
6. Provide capability-building interventions such as training, coaching and technical
assistance to continuously equip the SPA owner with the necessary knowledge,
skills and attitude
7. Assist the SPA owner in acquiring competency certificate from TESDA (higher
level than the one acquired as LSA)
8. Provide SSS and PCIC insurance as social protection (if not yet provided while
LSA)
9. Provide information materials needed
10. Arrange with the SPA scheduled ATI activities to be conducted at the site
11. Pay the cost for ATI-organized trainings and other activities conducted by the
SPA - meals and lodging, supplies and materials, honorarium for services
rendered as resource person and other direct training costs on a per activity
basis, subject to government accounting and auditing rules
12. Document and package the best practices/technologies developed and used by
the SPA owner
13. Conduct quarterly monitoring of the SPA activities and accomplishments
14. Conduct annual evaluation of the SPA