DILIMAN, Quezon City—The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) welcomes more opportunities to bring its extension services further along the lines of productivity and advancement as it celebrates achievements leading to its 33rd founding anniversary.

After reaching more than 85,000 stakeholders in 2019, with over 2,500 training programs and learning activities implemented, the Institute is set to empower more farmers, fishers, agricultural extension workers, and other players in the agricultural value chain.

The programs and activities implemented last year have resulted in a significant increase in the farmers’ access to new agricultural technologies. Likewise, extension services were delivered to more beneficiaries in rural and urban areas in 2019, consequently expanding the reach of economic opportunities in the sector.

For 2020, the Institute devised new extension strategies anchored on an improved thematic scheme, dubbed as “Extension LEADS: Learn, Exhibit, Advise, Disseminate, and Support.” This will focus on the continuous provision of training services, technology demonstration, farm business advisory, access to agri-related information, and further assistance to extension policy-making.

To mark another year’s milestone, ATI launched simultaneous festivities nationwide for the anniversary celebration. Some highlights include motorcades, product displays from Learning Sites for Agriculture, free seminars, contests, and relief operations for the Taal evacuees, among others.

ATI training centers in regions I, II, VI, VII, X, and XIII also recognized the winners of the Digital Farmers Program in separate awarding sessions as part of their celebration.

At the central office, ATI Director Alfredo Aton graced the recognition of 2019 Loyalty Awardees and the blessing of new training and accommodation facilities.

The 33rd anniversary celebration was held on January 29, with the theme “Vibrant Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Services towards Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita.”