SINILOAN, Laguna- The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in CALABARZON as the lead agency in the extension component of Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) spearheaded the ceremonial turnover of Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Kiosks in the local government of Siniloan, Laguna.
As an active partner in the implementation of Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program, the Center collaborated with FITS Center-Siniloan operated by the Municipal Agriculture Office of Siniloan, Laguna to establish five (5) FITS Kiosks in Barangays of Acevida, Halayhayin, Macatad, M. Pandeño, and Salubungan. The FITS Kiosks will serve as “satellite” of FITS Center Siniloan, Laguna in the barangay-level.
The barangays received the following items namely, IEC materials, Android tablet, and wooden cabinet.
Through this, ATI aims to make information more accessible and available to the target beneficiaries of RCEF as well as increase awareness and understanding of the farmers in the region towards Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), RCEF, and DA's rice-related programs and services.
“Magiging malaking tulong ito sa ating mga magsasaka upang maka-access ng mga kalaaman sa pamamagitan ng mga Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials o mga babasahin at mga internet-based Information and communications technology (ICT) tools na maaari nilang gamitin tulad ng Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RAS) at ibang rice application na Rice Doctors, MOET app, at iba pa,” said ATI IV-A Center Director Ms. Marites Piamonte-Cosico.
Present during the activity were Municipal Mayor Hon. Rainer A. Leopando, Vice Mayor Hon. Patrick Ellis Z. Go, Municipal Agriculturist, Engr. Carlo Realeza, Brgy. Chairperson Reynaldo Jamon (Brgy, Acevida), Brgy. Chairperson Modesto J. Serrano (Halayhayin), Brgy. Chairperson Glenda M. De Leon (Brgy, Macatad), Brgy. Chairperson Janeth R. Carandang (Brgy. M. Pandeño), Brgy. Chairperson Efren S. Palma (Brgy. Salubungan), Engr. Jennifer T. Guadalupe from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) FAES Laguna, and Engr. Rommel Octavius Nuestro from Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU).