Gusa, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY---For the farming community and farmer partners of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in Northern Mindanao, all roads will lead to the 1st Regional Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) Summit.
The 1st Regional LSA, SPA, and PAF-ESP Summit will convene the center’s farmer partners, extension workers, respective MAOs and PAOs of the municipalities and provinces in the region, resource persons, and other invited guests at the Harbor Lights Hotel and Restaurant on May 30-31.
Since after the pandemic and the easing of travel restrictions, the center, through its Partnership and Accreditation Section (PAS) took effort to double the number in establishing its Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSA), School for Practical Agriculture (SPA), and Private Agriculture and Fisheries-Extension Service Providers (PAF-ESP).
To become a farm partner, the ATI taps rural farms to serve as learning sites for knowledge sharing opportunities for farmers, young and old alike. The chosen farms, through a series of visits and validations, will be further developed and accredited to become the "school" for hands-on training, with the farmer-owners as the "teachers" and community extensionists. The farms will then serve as practicum areas to complement classroom learning and a learning site for other farmers, rural community members, ATI training participants, OJTs from schools, and ATI scholars.
The said summit intends to provide ample opportunity among the farmers to share good agricultural practices, innovations and breakthroughs, identify issues and concerns, as well as provide recommendations regarding their farming experiences, and help update the revised guidelines on the establishment of LSAs and private ESPs.
During the summit proper, ATI will recognize outstanding LSAs, SPAs, and PESPs for their efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, and engagement in terms of rural and agricultural development, and for their contribution in making the country food-secure. The said recognition is a manifestation of ATI’s untiring support and commitment to the farming and fishing communities, adhering to its vision which is “Food Availability and Affordability for Every Filipino Family through Excellent Extension Services in Agriculture and Fisheries.”
ATI-Central Office Director Remilyn R. Recoter is slated to grace the summit as the keynote speaker. Other invited dignitaries include Regional Executive Director (RED) Carlene C. Collado of DA-RFO 10 and Honorable City Mayor Rolando A. Uy. (with reports from Cristine A. Galupo / photo layout provided by Cassandra Camille Rosos-Sabasaje)
