The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Central Visayas has recently concluded a three day training workshop on Farm Machinery Operation and Maintenance for Agricultural Engineers/Farm Operators on April 17 -19, 2018 at ATI Regional Training Center – VII, Cabawan District, Tagbilaran City to thirty three (33) agricultural engineers (AEs), farm operators and LGU representatives coming from the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) was mandated by the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997 which is to “give priority to the development and promotion of appropriate agricultural machinery and other agricultural mechanization technologies to enhance agricultural mechanization on the countryside”. In support to the said mandate ATI-7 being the training arm of the DA came up with this three-day training workshop which aimed to capacitate participants to be competent agricultural and fishery extension workers by providing them course on farm operation and maintenance to increase farm production, yield and income.

The training involved method demonstration, field visits, workshops, group dynamics and participatory discussion.

“The Training Course on Farm Machinery Operation and Maintenance for Agricultural Engineers / Farm Operators is very relevant to us participants. It gave us the latest information on new machineries and equipment and enhance our knowledge and skills”, said Engr. Gerald Odtohan of National Irrigation Administration – VII, Tagbilaran City.

Resource persons were Engr. Rodelo Divinagracia, Engr. Romar A. Areno and Dr. Eduardo T. Cayabyab from Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) while ATI Engr. Rizaldy Mercadal as project officer assisted by Jovannie Picot.