Intensifying the use of different digital technologies in farming, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 1 (ATI-RTC 1) conducted the second batch of the Training of Trainers on Digital Farmers Program (DFP) 101 and 102 on August 30 to September 1, 2022 via virtual.
The three-day online training was completed by 31 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from different municipalities and cities in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte which enabled them to acquire necessary knowledge and skills in the roll out of the DFP at the local level.
Aside from preparing the AEWs, the training was also designed to encourage them to embrace the role of information and communication technology (ICT) tools in providing basic extension services to the farmers, fisherfolks, and other clients in the rural community.
Through simultaneous lecture-discussions and demonstrations, the participants of the training were able to learn the different modules and toolkits of DFP. They were also able to explore various agri-based applications that are helpful in farming. Micro teaching activity was also integrated in the training to assess the knowledge gained of the participants and their preparedness in delivering the components of the training.
Among the outputs of the trainees were social media marketing plan, social media content using Canva application, and DFP action plan.
Mr. Sydney A. Manna, Agricultural Technologist from Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte, expressed his learnings and appreciation during the closing program.ย โAng isang challenge sa amin na mga AEWs ay kung paano i-encourage ang mga farmers ng technical kasi minsan ang iba sa kanila ay hindi alam gumamit ng smartphone. With this timely and relevant training, we were equipped na nasa LGU kung paano i-train ang mga farmers sa paggamit ng mga basic agri applications na alam natin na may malaking tulong sa kanila.โ, Mr. Manna said.
Meanwhile, ATI-RTC 1 Center Director Dr. Rogelio C. Evangelista expressed his message to motivate the AEWs.ย โIf someone is better than you, it doesnโt matter. What matters the most is to continue bringing out your best in order to serve our clients in the community.โ, Dr. Evangelista emphasized.
The Institute continuously provides timely learning opportunities and relevant initiatives to help AEWs in narrowing the digital gap in their respective LGUs. To date, a total of 53 AEWs in the region were already trained and expected to disseminate the importance of digital technologies in farming.
