After training for one year under the Ifugao Satoyama Meister Training Program (ISMTP) at the Ifugao State University through its Center for the Ifugao Rice Terraces as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) seven graduates composing Batch 7 are conferred as Ifugao Rice Terraces (IRT) meisters .
The graduates produced research projects on the IRT system studies to address the current challenges of the rice terraces. These research projects are translated into extension projects that aid in economic sustainability and the professional development of both trainees and mentors.
Margarette Culdi worked on her research project entitled “Chawwa: A Local Government Initiative for a Sustainable Farming in Banaue” ; Jade Dulnuan focused her research on the “Production and Market Chain Analysis of Ifugao Metal Tools in Munggayang, Kiangan, Ifugao” while Leticia Lagayan researched on “Udi’n di Gangha: The Traditional Gong Smithery in Hingyon, Ifugao."
Four are ISMTP alumni who enhanced their previous research outputs and came up with tangible products through the advanced course of the program.
Stephanie Ayahao expanded her research “Inabol: Weaving Culture of Kiangan, Ifugao” and came up with the “Weaving Heritage Entrepreneurship and Education.”
Louiellen Hazel Batton, owner of the 7th Heaven’s Roasted Tinawon Rice Tea, expanded her previous research on “Heirloom Rice Brew Production using Earthen Jar and Vat” into the “Production of Heirloom Rice Tea for Heritage Tourism and Entrepreneurship.”
Grace Francisco, owner of Tarobean Ice cream by Gracia’s, also focused on the “Production of Taro-Bean Ice cream for Food Resource Conservation” while Marlyn Naliwan, owner of Mayoyao Native Rice Coffee, came up with a “Rice Coffee for Heritage Product Entrepreneurship.”
