BAGUIO CITY, Cordillera Administrative Region—With the government’s thrust to increase investment on research and development (R&D) to improve farm productivity, representatives from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) convened to draw up interventions to strengthen the complementation of the R&D and extension functions in the agriculture sector.

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija—Farmers supported by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) underscored the lucrative side of agriculture as they shared their good practices during the 2nd AgriTalk.

Desiree Duran, president of the Bulacan-based ATI Learning Site (LS) Duran Farm Agribusiness and Training Center Association, Inc., showed how agriculture can be a viable source of income through farm tourism.

MANILA, Philippines—The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is now accredited as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Provider by the Professional Regulation Commission’s (PRC) Council of Agriculture.

In the certificate signed by CPD Council of Agriculture chairperson Nora Inciong, ATI’s accreditation was issued through Resolution No. 1032, Series of 2017. It is in accordance with the implementing rules and regulation of Republic Act No. 10912 otherwise known as the CPD Act of 2016.

PASAY CITY, Metro Manila—Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Manny Piñol congratulated rice farmers in the country for the record-high palay production of 19.28 million metric tons (MT) last year and stressed their integral part in the national thrust for rice sufficiency.

During the 2017 Rice Achievers Awards, Piñol lauded the efforts of Filipino farmers and committed to support them through sustainable initiatives such as the easy access credit program and establishment of solar-powered irrigation system.

PASAY CITY, Metro Manila—The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to confer the 2017 Rice Achievers Awards to outstanding provinces, cities and municipalities, irrigators’ associations (IAs), and small water irrigation system associations (SWISAs) for their dedicated efforts to the rice industry.

Seven provinces and 15 cities and municipalities will be recognized during the awarding ceremony on May 31, 2018 at the Philippine International Convention Center. They will each receive trophies and checks for Php4 million and Php1 million cash prizes, respectively.

CALOOCAN CITY, Metro Manila—Recognizing the role of teachers in developing a child’s skills and values, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) continues to partner with them to help ensure food security for the future generations.

The 100 teachers from Cielito Zamora Memorial School are now also among these partners as they took part in a knowledge-sharing activity on urban farming held by the ATI in the school. Here they found new ways of growing vegetables in the small space and with the materials have in their campus.