ATI and DOT officials lead the cover reveal of the “Agriculturally Awesome” travel guide. (photo by Ashlee Canilang)
SILANG, Cavite—Two new books promoting Philippine native plants and farm tourism sites were launched by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), through its Regional Training Center (RTC) in CALABARZON.
The books, “Agriculturally Awesome: A Regional Farm Tourism Travel Guide” and “saRiLing ATIn: 25 Promising Native Plants of the Philippines,” were produced through the joint efforts of ATI and its assisted farms in CALABARZON.
“Agriculturally Awesome” is a travel guide that encapsulates the different farm tourism sites accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the region.
Meanwhile, “saRiLing ATIn” features 25 native plants in the region and the potentials in culinary, medicine, manufacturing, and biodiversity of each. This book was made possible through the collaboration with MoCA Family Farm RLearning Center, Inc., one of ATI’s private Extension Service Provider located in Batangas.
ATI Director Alfredo Aton graced the activity and highlighted the importance of publishing books in agriculture.
“'saRiLing ATIn' and 'Agriculturally Awesome' are good reminders for us to rediscover our ecological identity, and the natural beauty of our homeland, particularly in terms of our vast agricultural lands,” he remarked.
Aton furthered, “I am deeply pleased that we are continuously creating resources of information that do not only educate, but also ignite inspiration to the farmers and fishers nationwide.”
Meanwhile, DOT CALABARZON Regional Director Joseph Francisco Ortega emphasized the increasing number of farm tourism sites in the region as he gave his keynote speech.
“Local farmers and farm workers now embark on the direction that is sustainable, eco-friendly, and beneficial for all,” Ortega said.
Moreover, Ma. Grace Marzan, chief of the DOT Standard Development Division, expressed her appreciation for the Institute for publishing books that promote farm tourism in the country.
“DOT, Department of Agriculture, and ATI see farm tourism as an opportunity for local communities to thrive for better engagement in the field of agriculture, and better catalyst for environmental awareness,” she stated.
The book launch was attended by officials and representatives of DOT, Knowledge Channel Foundation, local government units in the region, local media partners, and partner lifestyle bloggers. Cooperators of other ATI-certified Learning Sites and DOT-accredited Farm Tourism Sites in Region IV-A were also present.
This event, organized by the ATI-RTC in CALABARZON in coordination with the ATI-Information Services Division, was held last September 19 in Teofely Gardens in Silang, Cavite.