DILIMAN, Quezon City — In ushering another year, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) workforce vows to intensify collaboration with other government agencies and key organizations in the local and global arena to realize sustainable and equitable development.
As part of its strategic thrusts for 2018, the ATI is set to boost linkages with various public, private, and non-government entities, including rural-based organizations, local government units, and state universities and colleges, and strengthen ties with ASEAN counterparts towards food security and rural advancement.
“Through continued capability-building, the ATI is also committed to recreate a new character of budding extensionists, and work for innovations geared towards development,” Officer-in-Charge Director Luz Taposok added in her official New Year’s message.
She also shared plans to continue mainstreaming agriculture among in-school and out-of-school youth through tri-media channels. She likewise envisions a community in which farmers and fishers are well-equipped with technical knowledge through support programs that will help them participate in the international market supply chain.
Taposok is set to lead the ATI in solidifying these thrusts during its 31st anniversary celebration. Among the highlights of the event is the opening of the “ATIng Merkado sa SiyuDAd” which will feature products from different Learning Sites (LS), Extension Service Providers, and other partner merchants.
Seven publications will also be launched, which include a directory guide of ATI-supported farms in the Ilocos Region, photobooks of all LS nationwide, a collection of inspiring stories in Northern Mindanao, a compendium of evaluation studies, and a document on agriculture and fisheries extension cost standards.
The Institute is also set to receive its ISO 9001:2015 certificates for the Central Office and seven expansion training centers. Senators Cynthia Villar and Grace Poe and Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol are set to grace the celebration.
Following these activities is the annual performance review for 2017 and commitment signing for 2018. All these will be held on January 29 to 31, 2018 at the ATI Central Office compound in this city.