TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite – The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) recognizes the enormous prospects of using ICT particularly in the agricultural extension especially now that the country is relying on the agricultural sector for economic sustainability.
As the extension and training arm of Department of Agriculture in CALABARZON, ATI Region IV-A spearheaded a webinar format of Techno Gabay Program Summit 2020 with the theme of “Digital Agriculture: Key Player to Food Security and Sustainability” livestream in ATI Calabarzon official Facebook page.
The said activity aims to strengthen the promotion and utilization of digital technology in the agriculture sector region IV-A. It also focused on the utilization of social media and e-Commerce which are currently paving the way toward food productivity in region IV-A.
Through a recorded video message, author of SAGIP Saka, and agriculture advocate, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan emphasized the importance of ICT especially in weather and climate advisory.
“Iba’t ibang teknolohiya ang maaaring gamitin ng ating magsaksaka. Ito ang gusto nating mangyari para maahon sa kahirapan ang magsasaka. Kapag nangyari ito, masisiguro natin na may pagkaing mura na maaari nating bilhin at dalhin sa ating hapag kainan,” he said.
During the first day of the summit, Partner Agencies from SUCs from the five provinces presented the accomplishments of FITS Centers and highlighted the COVID-19 response activities in extension.
On the second day, topics on social media and e-Commerce were presented. Division Chief of Information Services of ATI Central Office Ms. Antonieta J. Arceo accentuated and narrowed down the various digital agriculture tools in extension especially in ATI such as Digital Farmers Program (DFP) and ICT tool such as Rice Crop Manager (RCM).
Farming advocates and video creators Ms. Princess Anne P. Marcos known as the “Milennial Bukid Girl”; Mr. Reden Mark F. Costales also known as “The Agrilenial”; and Mr. Justin Paolo Interno or Bards Interno served as panel speakers and shared their insights on the power of social media in agriculture.
Additionally, co-owner of Session Groceries Ms. Iloisa Romaraog-Diga and School Director and Founder of MoCa Family Farm RLearning Center Inc. Ms. Gloria Pontejos-Morris talked about the high demand of use of e-commerce during the pandemic which caused the of the change of the behavior of the consumers in purchasing goods and products. They also encouraged other farmers to try and utilized mainstream e-Commerce platforms to help increase their profits.
Continuing its tradition of recognizing outstanding accomplishments of the FITS Centers as well as showcasing the skills of the FITS Centers staff in packaging information through various friendly competitions, special awards were given to FITS Centers with strong social media presence, highest Rice Crop Manager dissemination, and climate and weather advisory. Various contest in vlogging, photo essay, and accomplishment poster were also participated by the Centers in the region.
Climate and Weather Advisory
FITS Center Tanauan City
Rice Crop Manager (RCM)
FITS Center Pila, Laguna
FITS Center Lobo, Batangas
FITS Center Morong, Rizal
Strong Social Media Presence
-FITS Center Cavinti
-FTIS Center Imus City
-FITS Center Kalayaan
-FITS Center OPA Batangas
-FITS Center Moca Family Farm
-FITS Center Candelaria
-FITS Center Magdalena
-FITS Center Tanauan City
- FITS Center Lucena City
-FITS Center OPA Quezon
-FITS Center Bacoor City
Poster
-Top 1 Candelaria
-Top 2 Moca Family
-Top 3 Bacoor City
Consolation Prize: Gumaca and Antipolo City
Photo Essay
-Top 1 San Juan
-Top 2 Teresa
-Top 3 Imus City
Consolation Moca and Bacoor City
Vlogging
-Top 1 OPA Quezon
- Top 2 Tayabas City
- Top 3 Naic
Consolation Siniloan and OPA Laguna
The winners of contest received cash prize and a certificate of recognition. Journalist and host of AgriPrenuer Mr. Jiggy Manicad closed the program through a recorded video message. The activity was held last December 1-3, 2020 via Facebook Live.