2010 News

While most employees were having their Christmas break, some 50 ATI-RTC 8 staff and beneficiaries significantly made a difference in their environment by planting Mahogany trees on December 23, 2010 in barangays Palhi and Marcos in Baybay, Leyte.  Center Director Paulino T. Cabahit spearheaded the activity.

Another Season-Long Training of Trainers on PalayCheck System culminated on December 8, 2010 producing 27 trainer-graduates from the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar and Leyte in Region VIII.  The training was conducted in support to the Irrigated Rice Production Enhancement Project (IRPEP).  It started on August 23, 2010.

Another School-on-the-Air (SOA) on PalayCheck System culminated on October 27, 2010 in the western part of Samar Island.

Only 10 of the 167 enrollees were not able to graduate.  Topping the SOA farmer-graduates is Raymundo P. Leano, Jr. of Brgy. Cag-anibong.  He was followed by Ranilo Yabao of Brgy. Mag-ubay and the honorable mention awardees; Antonio R. de la Tonga of Brgy. Sigo, Justino B. Regalia of Brgy. Binaliw, and Editha de la Tonga of Brgy. Sigo, Calbayog City. 

The decreasing rice lands and increasing number of mouths to feed led to producing rice even in most unlikely areas, like those that are prone to flooding.

With climate change, flooding can be more frequent.  Rather than leave flood-prone areas unproductive, efforts were made to utilize these areas to increase production of the country's basic staple.

With the advancement in information and communication technology comes the challenge for our agricultural extension workers to tap it to work for them.  This is better applied in making their data accurate, presentable and easy to interpret, where such data are critical in the decision-making of the local policy makers in implementing development programs.