LOS BAÑOS, Laguna- A total of 50 participants gathered for a two-day "Assessment and Operational Planning Workshop for Enhanced Farmers’ Information and Technology Service (FITS) Centers" held at the City of Springs Resort and Hotel, Los Baños, Laguna.

Since the institutionalization of Techno Gabay Program (TGP) to ATI, the Institute specifically Regional Training Center in Region IV-A has established 55 Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers and certified 74 Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) in 2018.

Thus, the ATI IV-A through the Information Services Section (ISS) spearheaded the implementation of enhancement of FITS Centers and MS through the Rice Crop Manager and Climate Information System (CIS). Currently, the Center enhanced a total of 38 FITS Centers and MS; 16 FITS Center for RCM; 8 FITS Centers in delivery of CIS; and 14 CIS technology demonstration established at Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) farms.

The participants were able to prepare and present their 2019-2020 target RCM and CIS activities. Project Officer, Dr. Rolando V. Maningas, said the output will help the Center to document, monitor and evaluate the performance of each enhanced FITS Centers.

RCM Enhanced FITS Centers are expected to generate and disseminate 200 RCM recommendations for rice farmers whereas CIS Enhanced FITS Centers targeted a minimum two (2) social media posting of weather updates per month. Additionally, the MS will give updates on the status of their ongoing techno demo, and they are expected to conduct field day.

The activity was held last February 20-21, 2019.