The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) continues to strengthen the Techno Gabay Program (TGP) as a knowledge management initiative and a mechanism in enhancing access to up-to-date information and new agricultural technologies in the countryside.

Since its transfer to ATI from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, continuous capacity-enhancement efforts and support for information, education, and communication (IEC) were carried out for extension workers and farmers through the ATI’s Regional Training Centers (RTCs) and local government units.

As partners in the implementation of TGP, managers and staff of various Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers, as well as some Magsasaka Siyentista (MS), were re-oriented on their roles and functions. They were urged to further promote and disseminate technology-based practices in the agriculture and fisheries sector.

This was during the TGP summits spearheaded by the RTCs in regions III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, VI, IX, and XIII in different dates this year. These regional TGP conferences served as a collaborative learning activity for the participants, enabling them to strengthen their network among their respective regions.

During these summits held in September to November this year, FITS Center representatives and MS shared their accomplishments and best practices as a network. The respective ATI Information Services staff also shared updates on the implementation of the program.

The activity, likewise, became a platform for the participants to assess their performance, clarify concerns, and formulate solutions to issues regarding FITS Center operations and MS services. Moreover, the participants developed plans for their respective networks in line with ATI’s directions for TGP.

Other highlights of the TGP summits in these regions include a seminar on proper documentation and reporting in MIMAROPA; orientation on farm weather services in the Philippines and TGP Awards in CALABARZON; and discussion on the family farm tourism concept in Region VI.

In Region III, ATI officials signed a memorandum of agreement with state universities and colleges for the regional institutionalization of TGP. A benchmarking activity in successful Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs) in Davao and Cagayan De Oro was also part of the TGP Summit in Region XIII.

ATI Information Services Division chief Antonieta Arceo served as resource person in one of the TGP culmination activities in Region XIII. She shared the new plans for TGP implementation, including the expansion of FITS Centers to the barangay level; enhancement of LSAs and Extension Service Providers as FITS Centers; and the inclusion of FITS Center staff and MS in the Digital Farmers Program conducted in partnership with Smart Communications, Inc.

“Let us work together towards extension,” Arceo said as she urged the FITS Center representatives and MS in the region.

At present, there are around 850 operational FITS Centers and 640 active MS nationwide.