The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) celebrated its 37th founding anniversary with a week-long event that showcased the institute’s use of new strategies in implementing its training programs and its collaboration with public and private sector partners to achieve productivity, modernization, and professionalization within the agriculture and fisheries sector.
Coming up with the theme “Innovate, Collaborate, Succeed: Growing Together for a Sustainable Future”, the ATI pushes for the promotion of modern, green, and smart technologies towards “Bagong Pilipinas” and the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) goal of “Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya”.
The opening ceremonies of the anniversary was held last February 2, 2024. One of the highlights of the celebration is the “AgriAsenso” Product Expo and TechnoForum at the Ayala Malls TriNoma Activity Center, Quezon City, which took place from February 2 to 4, 2024.
This event showcased fresh and processed food and non-food products, technologies, and best practices of some ATI-certified Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs) and ATI-accredited Extension Service Providers (ESPs). Around 20 booths was set up for retail-selling of LSA- and ESP-sourced products through ATI’s 16 regional training centers (RTCs). Additionally, information, education, and communication (IEC) materials and advisory services related to farming and fishing was provided for free.
The TechnoForum series covers various topics, including Product Registration, Trademark Registration, Branding and Marketing for Agricultural Products, Precision Agriculture, Flower Pounding, and Cooperative Development. In addition, mentorship sessions with the attending Extension Service Providers (ESPs) are also held.
In terms of collaboration, the ATI has forged agreements with new institutional partners such as the Youth First Initiative Philippines, Inc. for “Bakal Lokal, Produkto Lokal” and other services; the International Rice Research Institute for the “Digital Training Module of Rice: Research to Production”; Globe Telecom, Inc. for the “Digital Solutions for Agricultural Advancement and Modernization”; and PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. for the Digital Farmers Program (DFP) Farm Tech Component.
Also, the said anniversary was simultaneously held across the country through its 16 RTCs. In Northern Mindanao, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center X (ATI-RTC X) is located in Poblacion, El Salvador City, headed by Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez with Assistant Center Director Noemi Beth G. Macario.
Among the lined-up activities during the anniversary celebration in the morning of February 6 included the presentation of ATI center-based milestones, chATIme: MediaCon, and book cover reveal. DA-RFO X Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and El Salvador City Mayor Edgar S. Lignes were the invited guests. For the afternoon session, an Awarding of LS Certificates and Financial Assistance and Turn-Over of NUPAP Vegetable Nursery Incentives and Rewards for Service Excellence transpired.
The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Center X (ATI-RTC X) conducted around 160 training and training-related activities and trained approximately 5,135 individuals, enhanced 43 Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSA), established 7 Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers, and enhanced 14 communities under the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) in 2023. Additionally, the ATI implemented scholarship and internship programs for the youth, aiming to empower young Filipinos to become the next generation of agripreneurs. The institute also expressed gratitude to its network of training centers, partner institutions, and other organizations for their support, which has been fundamental to the ATI’s existence over the past 37 years.
The ATI, as the catalyst, capacity builder, and knowledge bank of the Department of Agriculture (DA), was established by virtue of Executive Order No. 116, series 1987. It is responsible for training agricultural extension workers and other clients to address the needs of the agricultural sector.
The ATI’s ongoing collaboration with its network of training centers, partner institutions, and other organizations remains at the heart of its operations. (with reports from Jayvee P. Masilang, Information Services Division ATI-Central Office)For more information, visit them at: ATI Northern Mindanao